News index 2005	
December
16th 	Convictions for Blockading Aldermaston
16th December 2005 
Convictions for Blockading Aldermaston	

On 5th May this year the Block the Builders campaign staged it’s first action against the new developments at AWE Aldermaston, Britain’s atomic bomb factory. Last Friday, 9th December, two of those arrested, Matthew Bury and Martin Newell, appeared before District Judge English at Newbury Magistrates Court. 
Charged with obstruction of the highway both had earlier pleaded not guilty. The prosecution only managed to bring two of the five witnesses agreed to at the pre-trial review. After a seven month delay in getting to court the defendants decided to go ahead with the trial. Video, written and verbal evidence all clearly showed that the defendants were indeed blocking Tadley Gate with their arms in a "lock-on".
In their defence Bury and Newell produced photos and maps showing clearly that they were not on the highway but on MoD land. Video evidence also indicated that traffic was flowing along the A340. The prosecution suggested that the land blockaded was used by the public as a "cut through" between Home Office and Tadley gates - from the A340 to the A340. A brief discussion between the judge and the prosecution at the end of the trial lead the judge to decide that the area blockaded was a highway despite no corroborating or definitive evidence. Bury and Newell were found guilty and given one year’s suspended sentence and £150 costs each.
There are good grounds for an appeal.
	
5th	Heavy Fines for Edinburgh “Submariners”
5th December 2005 
Heavy Fines for Edinburgh “Submariners”	

Today 10 anti-Trident activists were each fined a total of £300 for being the crew of a large model nuclear weapon submarine which blocked the street outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on March 10th. 
The ten were accused under the Roads (Scotland) Act with placing an obstruction in the roadway without reasonable excuse and also of obstructing police officers who attempted to remove it. They made individual legal submissions but put forward a common defence. They argued that the reason for their action (the urgent need to bring the reality of the threat from an illegal nuclear weapon system to the Scottish Parliament) and the care and consideration with which they had acted, added up to a reasonable excuse. On the second charge they argued that it depended on the first and further, that it was inappropriate to bring two charges against them for the same action.
In her submission Sarah Whiteside said: “The advent of this nuclear age is a good example of a challenge to which the legal system must respond and in order for democracy and its mechanisms to function, there must be effective avenues for ordinary people to influence this response.”
Sheriff Noel McPartlin rejected their defences to both charges, fining them £50 on the first and £250 on the second, claiming that the matter became more serious at the point when they refused to comply with police requirements to move. He conceded that the accused had acted in a civilised manner and had conducted themselves well in court.
The ten told the Sheriff that they would not pay the fines.
A supporter in court said:
“It is more than disappointing that we are still waiting for the penny to drop in the Scottish courts over Britain’s weapons of mass destruction. The judges who deal with Trident related cases seem to have no real live conception of what a nuclear weapon is. Like so many before him Sheriff McPartlan has characterised as unreasonable those who do know and feel compelled to act. We are now considering what the next step will be in our effort to get the courts to respond to the Trident crime.”
The ten protesters are: Sarah Whiteside (from Fife); Emma Bateman (Leicester); Brian Quail (Glasgow); Adam Conway (Southampton); Jane Smith (Grantown-on-Spey); Jane Tallents (Helensburgh): Angie Zelter (Norfolk); Rosie Kane (Glasgow); Peter Lux (Norwich); Janet Fenton (Edinburgh).

Submarine
Submarine at the Parliament	

Background to the March 10th protest

October
24th 	Anti-Trident Campaigners put Brakes on Rolls Royce
24th October 2005 
Anti-Trident Campaigners put Brakes on Rolls Royce	

10 peace campaigners were arrested at Rolls Royce Raynesway in Derby this morning whilst attempting to shut down the factory with a non-violent blockade. 40 activists congregated in spite of heavy rain, two section 14 orders and an extraordinarily heavy police presence. They were attempting to uphold international law by closing the factory for the day. Rolls Royce Raynesway makes the nuclear engines for Britain’s illegal nuclear weapons system Trident, and is essential for its deployment. 
The blockade was organised by Trident Ploughshares which is committed to disarming Trident through open, accountable and non-violent direct action. A section 14 order imposed on the campaigners only allowed legal protest between 7.00 and 11.00a.m. but the protestors chose to make their own decision about ending the demonstration slightly earlier in order to symbolically show that they were not going to comply exactly with the orders of the police.
The activists came from all over Britain including Derby, Stirling, Bristol, Norfolk, Plymouth, London, Leicester, Glasgow and Stafford. They came from all walks of life from teachers and barmaids to bookkeepers and civil engineers.
“Nuclear weapons are illegal. The government is breaking international law with its nuclear policy and Rolls Royce is aiding and abetting their illegal activities by powering their nuclear weapons system Trident. Where companies and governments threaten War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity, ordinary people like us have to take action to uphold the law.” Alison Crane, campaigner.
Trident Ploughshares calls on Rolls Royce to:
• Produce and make publicly available an emergency evacuation plan for people living and working within a two mile radius of the factory. This plan should be thoroughly tested and evaluated by the local council and emergency services.
• Phase out all nuclear activities at the Raynesway plant within the next 5 years. 

September
17th 	Insurgents Occupy Military Communications Mast in Berkshire
17th September 2005 
Insurgents Occupy Military Communications Mast in Berkshire	

Two insurgents have scaled a communications mast at a military fuel storage and distribution hub at Padworth Common in Berkshire and are intending to disable the mast in an effort to disrupt and prevent fuel distribution to the UK’s nuclear weapons factory at Aldermaston and all United States military bases in the UK. 
The storage and supply depot, located between the UK’s two nuclear weapons factories at Aldermaston and Burghfield is part of a nationwide network of military fuel lines supplying U.S. and British military establishments throughout the UK. It’s a vital aorta to the UK and US war machine and security in these times of apparent terrorist threat is treated with contempt.
Kate Holcombe from Worcestershire comments, "In 1952 Harry S. Trueman and Winston Churchill agreed that in an emergency the United States could use bases in the UK. That agreement has been corrupted by Tony Blair, into his own ’Special Relationship’. The illegal attack on Iraq was no emergency and the United States use of the UK as a material launchpad for its illegal wars has no basis in any agreement or in UK law."
The US has declared its agenda to gain global military supremacy of Land, Sea, Air, Space and Cyberspace in its Joint Vision for 2020. It must be stopped as Hitler was, and its bases in and on UK territories closed.
Belgian Ludd McCloud says, "I am recruited by a growing international network of insurgents to help stop the US war machine in the UK. International help is flowing in to stop further War Crimes being committed.
The UK government and military is internationally a favourite target for insurgents but unfortunately for terrorists also because it’s willingly providing necessary support for US imperialism. Taking action now is urgent for the US is paving the way for a pre-emptive nuclear strike as their Doctrine for Joint Nuclear Operations predicts.
Britain must also fulfil international agreements to disarm its nuclear weapons and not fuel an international nuclear arms race by developing new ones under various agreements and partnerships with the United States and its corporations."
The insurgents plan to continue their occupation once the mast is disabled in order to prevent it being re-enabled by the Ministry of Defence.
Both are members of Trident Ploughshares, campaigning against Trident, nuclear warhead convoys and developments of a new generation of nuclear weapons at AWE, Aldermaston through its proposed Orion laser.
	
12th	Festive Blockaders Not Guilty
12th September 2005 
Festive Blockaders Not Guilty	

Trident Ploughshares
Press release: 12th September 2005
Festive Blockaders Not Guilty
Today four peace activists were found not guilty of a breach of the peace at Faslane naval base.
Morag Balfour, an SSP activist from Glenrothes, Jean Oliver, an office administrator from Biggar, Barbara Dowling, from Glasgow, and David Nicholson, also from Glenrothes, appeared at Helensburgh District Court.
On 22nd December last year the main gate of the nuclear weapons base was blockaded for two hours when the protesters lay down in the gateway and attached themselves to each other, using tubes and climbing clips. The blockade was timed to disrupt the arrival of the morning shift and led to long tailbacks of worker traffic before the traffic was diverted to an auxiliary entrance. The blockaders included Santa Claus and were all in colourful festive gear.
Justice of the Peace Viv Dance, without explanation, pronounced all four not guilty. The accused believe the verdict was due to the weakness of the police evidence.
Barbara Dowling said: “ When we spoke from the witness stand it was Trident which was on trial. We spelled out just how illegal and immoral it is. We were delighted to be acquitted – after all, we had done nothing wrong.”
	
7th	UK Nuclear Weapon Depot Blockaded for Two Hours
7th September 2005 
UK Nuclear Weapon Depot Blockaded for Two Hours	

This morning peace activists blockaded the nuclear weapon depot at Coulport on Loch Long, hampering day-shift worker traffic entering the base to a trickle and stopping it completely for almost an hour. 

Policeman Joins the Lock-On	

At 7 a.m. a group of 6 women lay down in the main entrance to the base and locked on to each other using plastic pipes. At the same time another group blocked the alternative entrance to the depot known as the Construction Gate using a tripod.
Up the Tripod	

After a complex cutting out operation the police arrested and took into custody the six women at the main gate. They are: Pippa Robertson from Aberdeen; Carol Livingstone from Paisley; Angie Zelter from Cromer in Norfolk; Jane Smith from Grantown on Spey; Jane Tallents from Helensburgh; Sue Hushing-Tree from London. A little later the police assembled scaffolding and removed Andrew Simpson from Glasgow who was also arrested.

Getting Carried Away	

The aim of the activists was to disrupt the work of a base whose operation they is illegal under international law, and to draw attention to the reality of the UK’s weapons of mass destruction.
Trident nuclear warheads are stored in Coulport’s bunkers and loaded there onto the missiles on the submarines.
For more information and for printable quality photos contact the Trident Ploughshares camp on 08454588361 or 07876593016
For background information on the UK’s weapons of mass destruction see: here
	
4th	3 Arrested After Peace Slogans Painted at Trident Base
4th September 2005 
3 Arrested After Peace Slogans Painted at Trident Base	

At noon today three peace activists were arrested after the main entrance to the nuclear weapon base at Faslane was covered in anti-Trident messages. 

Trident Evil	

The activists were: Morag Balfour (32), from Glenrothes ,the peace and disarmament spokesperson for the Scottish Socialist Party; Jean Oliver (47), an administrator from Biggar; Barbara Dowling, a retired local government worker from Glasgow.
The women painted "Terrorism", "Evil", "Make Trident History", "Bread not Bombs" and other messages on the gate of the base, on the roadway, on road signs and on the two official signs to the base which flank the entrance. They were held for several hours inside the base and charged with malicious mischief.
The women were motivated by their distress at the existence of the base and the reality of Britain’s weapons of mass destruction. Morag said: "There is nothing at Faslane to indicate what its monstrous purpose is. The truth needs to be told."
There have been 11 arrests since the Trident Ploughshares camp at Coulport on Loch Long began last Saturday.
The camp continues until Saturday 10th September.
For more information and for printable quality photos contact the Trident Ploughshares camp on 0845 45 88 361
For background information on the UK’s weapons of mass destruction see: here

	
	
July
4th 	Faslane Blockade Declared a Complete Success
4th July 2005 
Faslane Blockade Declared a Complete Success
Update	

In the most successful blockade of Faslane naval base to date, 2000 activists shut down the base by blockading all of the gates into the base from 7am to 5pm. 
In a change of police tactics from recent mass blockades at the base, there was a policy not to arrest those who sat, laid or locked-on in the road. Base gates were shut all day and even the main A814 road running alongside the base was closed to traffic, giving an eerie quietness at times.
The blockade was planned to coincide with the G8 summit this week to highlight the links between poverty and war, militarism and destructive globalisation. The UK openly states that its nuclear weapons can be used to defend its economic interests.
"It is vitally important that people make the link between the industrial war machine and the poverty that so many people are suffering from around the world," said protester Jenny. "If the workers here cannot get to work, then it will slow down part of the machine."
The Faslane base is home to Britain’s four Trident nuclear weapon submarines, and its replacement is to be decided soon. Government estimates show that it would cost £14 billion to replace Trident with a similar system and a further £18 billion to operate these submarines throughout their life. The actual costs could be double this.
Hundreds sat outside each gate and police estimates of 600 were dismissed as ridiculous with at least 14 coaches bringing in protesters, as well as many minibuses and 4 ‘shuttle buses’ to the train station in Helensburgh.
The atmosphere was relaxed and fluffy while the gates were kept firmly shut. Even the sun was out for the day. Food and music was provided with ‘Dub and Grub’ by Mungo’s Hi-Fi, and the Jeely Piece Cafe. Rinky Dink sound system, samba bands and clowns attended alongside activists from many countries.
There were four arrests during the day, and none appear to be charged. One person entered into the base, and three others sat on perimeter gates or fences.
There was massive media interest with stories going out worldwide.
	
4th	Peaceful Protesters Block all Gates at British WMD Base
4th July 2005 
Peaceful Protesters Block all Gates at British WMD Base
10.30am	

Hundreds of peaceful protesters have this morning blocked all the vehicle entrances to the British nuclear weapons base at Faslane on the Clyde. 

The activists are sitting or lying in the gateways and some are “locked-on” to each other with arms linked through plastic or metal tubes. Among those blockading are a group of parliamentarians, including Green MEP Caroline Lucas and Scottish Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan.
The atmosphere is peaceful and relaxed. One protester has been arrested inside the base after scaling a perimeter fence at the base.
The blockade has been planned to co-incide with the G8 summit to highlight the links between poverty and war, militarism and destructive globalisation.
The Faslane base is home to Britain’s four Trident nuclear weapon submarines.
A Faslane G8 spokesperson said: “How can anyone take seriously a government promise to share in the alleviation of poverty worldwide when that same government indulges in illegal wars, deploys genocidal weapon systems and profits from a vicious trade in arms.”
	
1st	Final Preparations Underway for Historic Faslane G8 Blockade	
1st July 2005 
Final Preparations Underway for Historic Faslane G8 Blockade	

Organisers can now confirm that they are expecting thousands of G8 activists from around the world to shut down one of Britain’s most important military bases on Monday 4th to highlight the links between poverty and war, militarism and destructive globalisation. 
Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, has expressed his backing for the action, explaining:
“Britain spends many times more on arms than it does on aid. It is particularly shocking that Britain spends over £1 billion a year on its own nuclear weapons of mass destruction, Trident. That money should go towards liberating people from poverty and war not sustaining weapons of mass slaughter. CND is right to highlight the presence of Trident at Faslane on Monday 4th July, while the G8 leaders prepare to meet at Gleneagles. I wish the blockade every success.”
Amongst those planning to blockade Faslane naval base, which is situated 30 miles west of Glasgow, (approximately 50 miles from Gleneagles) is a broad spectrum of protestors, from Parliamentarians and Church leaders to anti-globalisation activists involved with the Dissent! network.
Delegations of activists from countries including the USA, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Greece are planning to help shut down the base, with many planning to use sophisticated non-violent blockading techniques, including metal piping, chains and passive resistance. A carnival atmosphere is expected, with a 60-strong Samba band from Berlin amongst those expected to take part.
A spokesperson for the Faslane G8 Team, Joss Garman, said:
“On Monday, we will make history by shutting down the home port for Britain’s Weapons of Mass Destruction. Whilst the G8 leaders will talk about ending poverty, we will show how they are creating it through war and the arms trade. You can’t end poverty, unless you also end war.”
He added, “Whilst 80% of the world lives on less than a dollar a day, Britain alone is spending £1.5 billion per year on a useless and illegal relic of the Cold War, and propping up the arms trade to the tune of £900 million per year - fuelling conflict and poverty across the developing world.”
The demonstration, which is scheduled to begin at 7am, is organised by CND and Trident Ploughshares, but is supported by Campaign Against Arms Trade, Stop the War Coalition, Britain’s biggest trade union - UNISON, Scottish TUC and G8 Alternatives. Members of the Clergy, joining the blockade, will hold a religious ceremony in the entrance to the North Gate at noon on Monday.

June
30th 	Successful Discrimination Appeal Puts Spotlight on Faslane Arrests
30th June 2005 
Successful Discrimination Appeal Puts Spotlight on Faslane Arrests	

With the G8 mass blockade of Faslane only days away, a protester who claimed that his arrest at a previous protest at the base was discriminatory has today won his appeal to the Scottish High Court, raising further questions about the policy of Strathclyde Police in responding to peaceful protest. 
Alan Wilkie, 73, from Edinburgh, who was convicted of a breach of the peace at the blockade in April 2003, told Lady Cosgrove, Lord Bracadale and Lord Nimmo Smith that the arrest breached his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights by discriminating against him, when police arrested him but did not arrest a group whose conduct was identical to his. The group who were not arrested included MSP Tommy Sheridan and other candidates for the Scottish Parliament elections which were held the following week. The selective arrest policy was seen to be politically motivated.
The court quashed Alan’s conviction, saying that the magistrate, Justice of the Peace Viv Dance, had misdirected herself by refusing to admit written evidence from Tommy Sheridan and others which supported the claim that the arrests had been selective. While they did not specifically mention the ECHR, it is clear that they took the view that evidence which related to a claim under Article 14 of that Convention should have been admitted because it was wholly relevant.
Alan said: “I am delighted that this appeal has been upheld at a time when the right to protest peacefully is under attack on so many fronts. This is only one small step but I hope that it will make the police and the prosecuting authorities more careful in the future about trampling on people’s rights.”
A Trident Ploughshares spokesperson said: “As we usually do before these mass blockades we are again asking Strathclyde Police not to take the side of an unlawful system of WMD and arrest people engaged in peaceful protests. If they do indulge in mass arrests we will be watching very carefully for any discriminatory practice.”
The blockade will take place on Monday 4th July, two days before the start of the G8 Summit. It is expected to be one of the biggest direct actions against militarism ever in the UK.
	
23rd	Politicians & Church Leaders to Risk Arrest in Faslane G8 Blockade
23rd June 2005 
Politicians & Church Leaders to Risk Arrest in Faslane G8 Blockade	

A cross-party group of Parliamentarians have joined church groups in expressing their backing for the planned blockade of Faslane nuclear naval base, which is scheduled to take place two days before the start of the G8 Summit, on July 4th. The blockade is expected to be one of the biggest direct actions against militarism ever in the UK. 
Some politicians, including MEP Caroline Lucas, have declared their intention to join with thousands of others to risk arrest to draw attention to the links between militarism and the G8’s destructive economic policies, and the connections between war and poverty.
A number of Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) including Mark Ballard and Chris Balance (Green) and Tommy Sheridan, Carolyn Leckie, Rosie Kane and Colin Fox (SSP) will help blockade the base, and more are expected to add their names.
Others expected to join the protest include Rose Gentle - the mother of Gordon Gentle, a soldier killed in Iraq. Author and former Director of the World Development Movement, Mark Curtis will also join the demo. Church leaders are to hold an inter-denominational mass in the entrance to the North Gate of Faslane at noon, and many of them will also risk arrest in the planned peaceful disobedience.
Caroline Lucas MEP, who is Co-President of the European Parliament Cross-Party Peace Initiatives Group, said:
“The G8 leaders meeting in Scotland cannot hope to persuade states as Iran and North Korea to abandon their nuclear ambitions whilst they maintain their own nuclear arsenals: and I will keep protesting about Trident until it has been scrapped. Military expenditure and nuclear research not only diverts funds from educational, healthcare and social welfare programmes, it also defines bilateral relationships between nations and provides the means for the world’s many conflicts, which represent the greatest cause of extreme poverty and threat to sustainable development.”
Labour MP, Alan Simpson, is unable to travel to Faslane on July 4th, but added his support, explaining:
“The first step in global action against poverty has to be diverting of resources from war to peace. In particular, it means not only going rid of nuclear weapons but also the bases that support them. The blockade of Faslane will force us to recognise that everyday unquestioned funding of Britain’s nuclear defence industry steals the same day’s funding from the poor. This is why I support your blockade, and the demands it seeks to make.”
Among the church ministers to blockade Faslane will be Rev. David McLachlan, a father of two, who explained:
“As a Scot, I’m ashamed that my country has the highest concentration (per square mile) of nuclear weapons in the world. I consider the fact that six of the G8 countries have nuclear weapons as being an affront to Jesus Christ, the peacemaker. By helping to blockade Faslane, I will be acting out of principle - in line with the teachings of the Church.”
Author, Al Kennedy, added her support for the blockade, saying:
“We stand at a key moment in world history. Either preemptive war becomes the norm and preemptive nuclear war an acceptable option - or we do something about it. Either the US ramps up its nuclear weapons development, weaponises space and starts a whole new arms race - or we do something about it. Either the crumbling and utterly discredited nuclear industry is dragged back to act as a phoney alternative to genuine, climate-saving change - or we do something about it. Either the WTO, the World Bank, the IMF and a handful of major corporations enforce their will with the (highly profitable) threat of military intervention - or we do something about it. Either we hand over our future to politicians who lie as easily as they breathe and who have Mengele’s respect for human life - or we do something about it.”
She continued, “The people demonstrating at Faslane are doing something about it. What’s more they are an active demonstration that change can be brought about through peaceful means. They prove that pursuing other, sustainable alternatives for humanity and the planet is, from the ground up, about living a life that does not harm others.”
The day of action at Faslane is organised by CND and Trident Ploughshares, but supported by Britain’s biggest trade union - UNISON, Scottish TUC, Stop the War Coalition, Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), G8 Alternatives and Voices in the Wilderness.
	
22nd	Celebrity Support for Vanunu Activists as they Prepare for Trial
22nd June 2005 
Celebrity Support for Vanunu Activists as they Prepare for Trial	

Five anti-nuclear activists will next week go on trial at Hemel Hempstead Magistrates Court accused of Criminal Damage to Northwood Military HQ. However, they have received personal messages of support from actress Susannah York and Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone. The activists’ case will raise questions about the legality of Trident replacement, hot on the heels of statements from both former Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook and former Defence Secretary, Michael Portillo, in opposition to any new nuclear weapons system, raising the pressure on Tony Blair. 
The protestors (Joss Garman, Briony Tomlins, Philip Gordon, Sarah Shoraka and Graham Thompson) from Trident Ploughshares dressed in white “whistleblower” overalls and Vanunu masks and cut their way through a high security fence to get into the command and control centre for Trident on April 21st last year.
They acted to follow on in the footsteps of Vanunu and blow the whistle on Britain’s own nuclear WMD programme. On 27th June, they will go on trial represented by leading civil rights lawyers, Bindman and Partners, and the trial may last until July 1st.
The protestors’ case was featured in The Independent recently due to a disclosure the defendants received in which the Crown acknowledged that there is a “respectable body of expert opinion which is of the view that any decision by Britain to develop a new or further nuclear weapon system as a follow on to Trident would directly violate the undertakings made by Britain at the sixth Review Conference of NPT state parties in May 2000.”
Susannah York declared, “Well done you whistleblowers - five more to follow in Vanunu’s footsteps. Don’t stop walking!”
Meanwhile, Ken Livingstone wrote, “Nuclear weapons are one of the greatest threats to the future existence of humanity. I believe those who are trying to keep the case for their abolition in the public eye by symbolic actions will be understood in years to come as performing a great service to society.”
Three of the five activists, despite the looming court case, have already pledged to carry on with their campaign. On July 4th they will be amongst several thousand demonstrators who intend to close down Faslane naval base in Scotland, two days before the G8 Summit, by blocking the gateways to the home port to Britain’s nuclear armed submarines.
The experienced peace activists - who between them have swum out in front of submarines, whitewashed the gates of Downing Street following the publication of the Hutton Report, and organised the Greenpeace banner drop off Big Ben - will argue that they were legally and morally justified to break into Northwood, since they were acting to prevent a greater crime.
	
10th	Faslane G8 Protests May Trigger Road CLosures
10th June 2005 
Faslane G8 Protests May Trigger Road CLosures	

Protest organisers have learned that Strathclyde police may close a number of public roads near to Scotland’s largest military base, in response to the anti-G8 demonstration at Faslane on July 4th. Police believe that the sheer weight of numbers may “necessitate” the closure of the roads immediately surrounding the nuclear submarine base. 
Thousands of protesters are expected to converge on Faslane to physically blockade all of the gates to the high security base, home to Britain’s Trident nuclear weapon system. The blockade has been called in order to prevent work in the base, and simultaneously highlight the links between militarism and destructive globalisation, and the connections between poverty and war.
Organisers of the Faslane protest are working hard to ensure that local people who live near Helensburgh will not be affected by the non-violent blockade of the base. However, police have told the local authorities that for traffic management, and the health and safety of the protestors, road closures may be necessary.
The revelation of the proposed road closures, which if put in place will affect only vehicles rather than pedestrians, were made in a report for an Argyll and Bute Council Area Committee Meeting, scheduled to take place yesterday. Activists see the police warning as further proof that the G8 demonstration at Faslane will be the biggest and most successful blockade of the base to date.
A spokesperson for the Faslane G8 Team, Joss Garman, explained, “This protest is designed to be disruptive to the working of the base, not to local people. We are going to great lengths to minimise the impacts of the protests on local people, and we do not consider public road closures to be necessary, so were surprised to learn of the police request.”
He added, “This shows, however, the sheer quantity of people expected to take peaceful civil disobedience to shut Faslane and to send a message to the G8: “You can’t end poverty, unless you end war.”
Roads that police warn may be closed on the day of the action will be the A814 at the Maidstone Road, and at the Haul Road. The B833 at Peaton will also be shut off to vehicles. Roads will not be closed if numbers are lower than police anticipate. More information is available from the Head of Roads and Amenity Services at Argyll and Bute Council, Stewart Turner.
The demonstration which is organised by CND and Trident Ploughshares is supported by Stop the War, Britain’s biggest trade union - UNISON, Voices in the Wilderness, G8 Alternatives, The Scottish TUC and the Campaign Against Arms Trade.
The base at Faslane, which has been a focus for anti-nuclear activists, yesterday again proved vulnerable to security breaches and consequent disruption, when 14 protestors from Faslane Peace Camp breached the outer fences of the base, and one reached the berth of a Trident submarine leading to the closure of the base for several hours.
	
8th	Compensation Orders for MoD Gardeners
8th June 2005 
Compensation Orders for MoD Gardeners	

REMEMBER THE INNOCENT
Four Catholics were on trial on June 6th, at Bow Street Magistrates Court, London. They were convicted of ’Criminal Damage’, for their actions on the Feast of the Holy Innocents, 28th December 2004, when they had begun to convert the front lawn of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) building on Whitehall into a war cemetery in memory of the dead of the invasion and continuing occupation of Iraq. The four were Liz Yates, Scott Albrecht, Chris Cole and Fr Martin Newell cp.
Mr Cole and Fr Newell were ordered to pay compensation of £416 each. Mr Albrecht and Miss Yates were ordered to pay £80 compensation. They were also given Court costs of £200 each and conditionally discharged for two years. The Magistrate, in her judgement, recognised the actions of the defendants as an act of witness, and the integrity and dignity of the defendants in presenting their case.
Scott Albrecht and Liz Yates had been digging graves, with a child’s coffin ready to be placed in one. Chris Cole and Fr Martin Newell had begun to inscribe a wall as a memorial with the words "Remember Iraqi War Dead", "Slaughter of the Innocent" and "Stop the War" in red paint. "Father Forgive Us" was also written on the ground. Prayers of repentance and remembrance were said.
Scott Albrecht said in Court "We acted to uphold human law and the law of God. The human law is the United Nations Charter. The law of God is "love your enemies." In his statement, Chris Cole said " I acted to try to bring home the truth that war and violence are sinful and inevitably leads to the massacre of innocents. The prophet Jeremiah castigated hypocritical leaders: “They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, "Peace, peace," when there is no peace. T! hey acted shamefully, they committed abomination; yet they were not ashamed, they did not know how to blush.” (Jer 6:14-15) Fr Newell said, "I believed that the best way I could try to prevent the high crimes of our government and country in Iraq, was to disturb the consciences of the military and political decision makers in the MoD and Whitehall: to remind them of the death and destruction, the grief and the blood that is still being shed in Iraq." Under cross examination, Liz Yates said, "It is important to act as well as communicate a message. Action without communication is cynical. Communication without action is sentimental."
Scott Albrecht lives in St Albans. He is 41 years old and married with four children. Liz Yates lives in Kent. Chris Cole lives in Northamptonshire and is married with three children. Fr Martin Newell lives in Hackney. He is a Catholic Priest and member of the Passionist Order.

	

May
20th 	Activists Block Dockyard Gate For Three Hours
20th May 2005 
Activists Block Dockyard Gate For Three Hours
Devonport Camp 2005	

On Friday 20 May, anti-nuclear weapons campaigners successfully blockaded Albert Gate leading in to Devonport Dockyard. The blockade, organised by the Plymouth-based Trident Ploughshares, lasted for three hours. The action follows a week of high-visibility peace protest presence on Drake’s Island which concluded with a move to Devil’s Point on the Plymouth mainland, where a larger camp was established earlier in the week. 
At 6.40 in the morning, Trident Ploughshares protestors, in carnival attire, wove their way down towards the Camel’s Head Gate. This procession was augmented by the vibrant antics of the Totnes regiment of the Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army. Because police prevented the free movement towards the gate, Irene Willis, a member of Trident Ploughshares, immediately got onto the road and refused to move. She was arrested, but released without charge seven hours later. Subsequent attempts to blockade the gates of the dockyard at Camel’s Head were thwarted by the massed police.
Shortly after 8.30 AM several of the peace activist sat down at Albert Gate and established a presence which blockaded the gate for over 3 hours.
Protestors requested to speak with the commander of the base about the presence of nuclear submarine refitting and refuelling at the dockyard, but this request was refused. ”We just want to ask some questions about the nuclear submarines, and how this can possibly comply with the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which the UK has signed.” said one of the protestors.
Kate Hudson, chair of CND joined the protest during the afternoon. The day finished on a positive note with 12 people doing a ritual to banish the negative effects of nuclear weapons, and invite in a new time when peace is possible.
The weekend will continue with leafletting in the centre of Plymouth and a multi-faith ceremony at Drake’s Gate on Sunday morning.
	
19th	Update on Drake’s Island Occupation
19th May 2005 
Update on Drake’s Island Occupation
Devonport Camp 2005	

During the day, Drake’s Island has been evacuated and the camp has been transferred to Devil’s Point on the Plymouth shore, which is situated just across from the island. About 30 people are currently camping in an old water reservoir, which is now dry, which was squatted under the noses of a vanful of police officers who were lurking around the car park close to the site. The site is nice with good disabled access and moved lawns, banners are in place as well as toilets, a kitchen, a registration tent and a bigger meeting tent. 
Protestors have gathered from Derby, London, Bristol, Penzance, Totnes, The Independent Republic of Tichmorend, New Hampshire, Åland, and Plymouth among other places. A special division of the Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army has arrived from Totnes. The coach from Bristol and Exeter will bring more people from Ireland and the Nordic region.
The blockade will start around 6:30 am tomorrow morning at Camel’s Head Gate, police eager to ’facilitate’ protest (’how many lock-ons?’, ’how many people will be on the bus?’, ’what’s for dinner tonight?’), media really keen to cover from early morning, cameras from SkyNews, BBC, ITV etc will hopefully show up. The atmosphere in the camp is good, despite the rain and the fog. Hoping for good weather tomorrow. And a successful blockade. More reports will follow.
Tamarians
	
13th	Anti-Trident Protesters Occupy Drakes Island In Plymouth Sound.
13th May 2005 
Anti-Trident Protesters Occupy Drakes Island In Plymouth Sound.
Declared a Nuclear Free State	

Today 12 anti-nuclear weapons protestors from the Plymouth Trident Ploughshares (Tamarians) along with supporters, occupied Drake’s Island in Plymouth Sound.
A peace camp has been set up and the island declared a nuclear free state. The protest highlights the UK’s breach of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which is now being reviewed at an important nuclear disarmament conference at the UN in New York. The refit of the UK’s nuclear armed and nuclear powered Trident submarines in Devonport Dockyard plays a large part in Britain’s violation of this international treaty.

Drake’s island occupation	

The Drake’s Island settlers, including local trades people, parents, council employees, and seafarers, are raising the alarm about the threat that the Trident nuclear missile system poses to global peace and security.
”This Nuclear Free State demands the British government scrap Trident and comply with the NPT, which the UK has signed. The Trident missile system contributes to global insecurity and local pollution” said a Tamarian spokesperson.
The settlers are also concerned with the tritium being discharged from the nuclear fuelled Vanguard-class submarines at the Devonport Dockyard into the River Tamar.
”Tritium is a known carcinogenic and this practice of discharging these amounts of it into the river is illegal under European law, for all but the military. For us, who live here, this concession to the military poses a risk to our health” said an anti-nuclear campaigner on Drake’s Island.

Drake’s island occupation	

Visitors to the island will undergo a ”security check” for radiation contamination before they can enter the nuclear free state. If cleared they will be issued a ”visa” which will allow them to stay. Banners saying ”Ban the Bomb” and ”Scrap Trident” have been carefully displayed as the settlers are ensuring no damage will be caused to the island.
A candle-light vigil will be held tomorrow Saturday at 9 p.m. on Drake’s Island and people can gather in West Hoe, Plymouth, to show their support.

Drake’s island occupation	

Notes:
1. Tamarians are the Plymouth-based Trident Ploughshares group. Trident Ploughshares are a group of people who have pledged to disarm the Trident nuclear missile system by nonviolent direct action. For more information, please visit: www.tridentploughshares.org/devonport
2. The nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty became international law in 1970. For a while now, there have been five nuclear weapon states: USA, UK, Russia, France and China. Since then, India, Israel and Pakistan have developed nuclear weapons, and they remain the only countries outside the treaty. The 188 governments that have ratified this treaty, meet every five years at the Review Conference to assess the implementation of the treaty. The NPT contains the only binding commitment to nuclear disarmament in a multilateral treaty on the part of the Nuclear Weapon States. For more information, please visit http://www.un.org/events/npt2005 or www.reachingcriticalwill.org 
3. Trident is the UK’s submarine-launched ballistic missile system consisting of four nuclear submarines. At any one time three of these submarines are operational. There are a total of 42 operational missiles and it is assumed that there are 14 missiles on each submarine. One Trident nuclear warhead is 8 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.
4. Tritium is radio-active. It gives off a weak beta particle, but the resulting nucleus recoils violently and can damage human cells if it happens inside us. This is especially hazardous to growing cells (such as foetal tissue, genetic materials of blood-forming organs) which may not be able to recover. Tritium is flushed into the river from the nuclear fuelled submarines at Devonport. For more information: www.tritium.org.uk->http://www.tritium.org.uk]
5. The Vanguard-class submarines are being refitted and refuelled in the Devonport Royal Dockyard, by Devonport Management Limited (DML) which is linked to the American company Halliburton. HMS Vanguard left the dockyard in December 2004 after a 3-year refit. HMS Victorious arrived at Devonport in January 2005 and is currently being refitted.
	
9th	AWE Aldermaston: blockade stops work on new weapons
9th May 2005 
AWE Aldermaston: blockade stops work on new weapons	

The main construction entrance into the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Aldermaston has been blocked by members of the of the "Block the Builders" campaign this morning. While the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) conference continues in New York, a peaceful blockade has closed the main entrance of the AWE, blocking all access to the West Gate complex. Only three lorries have got into the AWE so far, and work for new weapons developments has been stopped by the blockade. 
"We believe that these new developments will equip the UK to test, design and build new weapons which will violate the UK’s commitments under Article VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)", Block the Builders stated.
The protest - which is calling on the government to come clean about its real plans for AWE Aldermaston - takes place at the same time as the NPT Review Conference in New York, where the UK delegation is coming under increasing diplomatic pressure to honour disarmament commitments made in 2000. At the last NPT Review Conference in 2000, the UK, as a nuclear-weapons state, made a series of commitments, including, "An unequivocal undertaking [by the nuclear-weapon States] to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals leading to nuclear disarmament to which all States parties are committed under Article VI"
"What we’re seeing every day at Aldermaston does not look like measures towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons, but the first stages of building the next generation of nuclear weapons", said Aldermaston Women’s Peace Camp-aign, who are supporting the protest.
Despite the National Statement on 5 May 2005, made to the NPT conference by UK Ambassador John Freeman, Head of the UK Delegation, reaffirming "the UK’s unwavering commitment to all its obligations under the Treaty",[1] earlier this week, the Independent revealed that Tony Blair had already decided to replace Trident with a new generation of nuclear deterrent. [2]
Work started on clearing the sites of at least two new buildings last month, following the approval in February of final planning permission for two I. T. buildings, thought to be associated with a new super-computer, and an office building for staff and contractors working on the new developments. AWE also started a major recruitment drive last month.
It is this work that has been stopped by this morning’s protest, as the lorries and machinery used for clearing the site enters by the West Gate. "Block the Builders" campaigners at the protest can be contacted on 07887 802879, and the blockade is expected to continue for some time.
Notes [1] For the text of the Ambassador’s speech, see http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1061396428128
[2] PM secretly signs up to a new deterrent as UN tries to cut global threat, 2 May.
[3] For a summary of recent history of new developments at AWE Aldermaston, see Behind the Wire: UK’s Pork Pies at the NPT, www.aldermaston.net/articles
[4] For more information about the Block the Builders Campaign, see www.blockthebuilders.org.uk

	
	
April
16th 	500 weapon inspectors arrested during "Bombspotting XL" actions in Belgium
16th April 2005 
500 weapon inspectors arrested during "Bombspotting XL" actions in Belgium
Belgian Senate resolution demands nuclear disarmament	

500 international activists were arrested by police today after a thousand gathered in Belgium to carry out a citizens nuclear weapons inspection. 
A massive police presence greeted inspectors at NATO HQ in Brussels, SHAPE (NATO military HQ) in Mons and Kleine Brogel airbase where 20 US nuclear weapons are stored. There was also an unannounced inspection of a NATO satellite base in Gooik, which is involved in communication between these bases. Activists were present from the six NATO countries currently hosting the 480 nuclear weapons based in Europe: Italy, Germany, Belgium, UK, Turkey and the Netherlands. They were joined by activists from Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Spain, Portugal, Nigeria and France.
The inspection was designed to practically prevent the functioning of the NATO nuclear weapons, by targeting the bases in Belgium involved in the deployment, command, control and communication of NATO nuclear weapons. There were around 500 arrests in total (200 at Kleine Brogel, 120 at NATO, 130 at SHAPE and 20 at Gooik). Many of the inspectors were arrested while trespassing on the bases, and others were arrested on their way to enter the base. All inspectors were held for an "administrative" arrest, and were released after a few hours.
The Bombspotting campaign is demanding that NATO becomes a nuclear free alliance. In two weeks the 184 member countries of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty will meet. "They have a clear choice. Either disarmament or a new arms race", said Hans Lammerant, from the Bombspotting campaign.
"We choose nuclear disarmament! And a necessary step towards nuclear disarmament is the withdrawal of US nuclear weapons from NATO countries, and an end to the role of nuclear weapons in NATO policy."
"At a time when key NATO countries are doing so much to encourage Iran to give up its nuclear aspirations, it would be hypocritical for NATO not to do the same", said Nicky Davies, from Greenpeace International who supported the action.
"We are part of a growing movement of people who will continue to conduct these inspections of nuclear sites, to bear witness and draw attention to these crimes until the world is free of nuclear weapons."
In the year that marks the 60th anniversary of the dropping of the bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, European citizens are demanding disarmament.
For more information and photographs from the action, visit: http://www.bombspotting.be
Brussels, 21/4: The Belgian Senate has this evening passed a resolution on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, calling for the withdrawal of the 480 US nuclear weapons based in Europe. This is the first time that a parliament in Europe has demanded the withdrawal of these nuclear weapons that are currently based in Belgium, Germany, England, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey. The United States is currently the only country to have nuclear weapons stationed on the territory of other countries.
The political momentum for this resolution has been rising within Belgium over the past months. 200 Belgian mayors from all political parties who have joined the "Mayors For Peace" network, supporting the emergency appeal of the Mayor of Hiroshima, for the worldwide elimination of nuclear weapons by 2020. 500 activists were arrested on Saturday 16th April during the "Bombspotting XL" nonviolent direct action at four sites in Belgium related to NATO nuclear weapon policy.
The resolution was approved by the Senate Commission on Foreign Affairs and Defence on March 22nd this year, and calls on the Belgian government to adopt a balanced approach to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. The resolution was submitted by Senators Patrik Vankrunkelsven (VLD), Lionel Vandenberghe (Spirit), Pierre Galand (PS), Sabine de Bethune (CD&V), Christian Brotcorne (cdH), Annemie Van de Casteele (VLD) and Philippe Mahoux (PS).
The resolution makes reference to the disarmament obligations contained in Article VI of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). It asks the government to contribute to a stronger disarmament agenda at the upcoming NPT Review Conference. The government is also required to pursue this policy in other international fora such as NATO and the EU.
"The adoption of this resolution is an important signal for the people who have been demanding clarity around the secret nuclear weapons based at Kleine Brogel in Belgium. A great majority of the population want to see the complete abolition of nuclear weapons, in Belgium and elsewhere. The demand from the Senate for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons has certainly not fallen out of thin air. We want to see an end to this system of nuclear apartheid. How can we continue to forbid Iran to develop nuclear weapons when we store US nuclear weapons in our own country." said Pol D’Huyvetter, campaigner with For Mother Earth.
	
March
16th 	MSP Rosie Kane Fined for Faslane Blockade
16th March 2005 
MSP Rosie Kane Fined for Faslane Blockade	

Today at Helensburgh District Court Trident Ploughshares pledger and MSP Rosie Kane was fined £150 for a breach of the peace at the blockade of Faslane naval base on 23rd August last year. 
From the witness stand Rosie gave Justice of the Peace Viv Dance the context for her action last August. She began by pointing out that so many anti-Trident activists had given the reasons for their action in that court that her defense could now be so much “white noise” to magistrates and prosecutors. She wondered aloud whether a fair trial was possible.
She said that although peace protesters acted from the goodness of their hearts, this was backed up by legal justification. In 1996 the International Court of Justice had outlawed nuclear weapons, with one of the bench, Judge Bedjaoui, characterising nuclear weapons as the “ultimate evil”. The Court had also said that the obligations to disarm under the Non-Proliferation Treaty were binding in law. The Faslane protesters were trying to uphold the law and should be given a Crimestoppers Award. Her oath as a Member of Parliament, and her pledge to disarm Trident, meant that she had to tell the truth. She would continue to do so.
Summing up for the Crown Procurator Fiscal Jonathan Kemp said that the Scottish High Court had in a number of rulings indicated that campaigners’ claims about the illegality of Trident and the lawfulness of their form of protest were invalid.
Concluding her own summing up Rosie repeated her determination to tell the truth about Trident. She said “ The only lying I will be doing will be lying in the road at Faslane.”
Finding her guilty JP Dance contradicted Rosie “white noise” remark and said that she had listened to the case with care. She had found the Crown case credible and relevant. She gave Rosie 28 days to pay the fine, adding that if she defaulted she would automatically be subject to a Supervised Attendance Order.
Rosie was arrested last Thursday along with 9 other activists for obstructing the highway with a giant model Trident submarine outside the Scottish Parliament.
A Trident Ploughshares spokesperson said: “Uninformed or mischievous commentators in the mainstream media frequently accuse parliamentarians like Rosie of exploiting the Faslane protests for their own purposes. Those who know our supporting MSPs find the allegation laughable. Rosie and the others would be with us at Faslane whether they were elected representatives or not. Their solidarity is highly valued.
We are also pretty sure that JP Dance decided to go for an automatic Supervised Attendance Order if the fine is not paid, so as to avoid the publicity the anti-Trident cause would attract should Rosie be sent to prison.”
	
15th	Activist Fined For Painting Slogans on Mod Building
15th March 2005 
Activist Fined For Painting Slogans on Mod Building
Crown Desert “Selective Arrest” Case	

Peace campaigner Adam Conway from Glasgow was today fined £130 for writing anti-Trident slogans on the MoD’s Media Reception Centre in Helensburgh, close to the Trident submarine base at Faslane, in August last year. 
Adam was one of a group of activists who painted the slogans on the gateway and buildings at the site. He told Helensburgh District Court that our nuclear weapons were a stain on the country and that his motivation for painting the slogans (“Evil; Illegal; WMD”) had been to expose the reality of these weapons in the face of the deception and hypocrisy with which they are surrounded.
Cross examining, the Procurator Fiscal amused the public gallery by asking Adam whether he had had permission from the MoD to carry out the painting. Adam gave the obvious reply and added that the MoD had not sought his permission to deploy Trident.
In summing up Adam argued that the main motivation among the public for obeying the law was not fear of sanctions but the recognition that the law, at least potentially, was an expression of our common morality. If the principles of justice and morality are not embedded in the application of the law, then it becomes a matter of meaningless rules.
Justice of the Peace Viv Dance took the view that she had to apply the law as it stood and she found him guilty, giving him a lower than normal fine to take account of his financial circumstances and the fact that he had been held in police custody for an unreasonably long period at the time of the offence due to a clerical error over a warrant. He told her that he was unlikely to pay it.
Later the Crown deserted the case against the Reverend Colin Morton for a breach of the peace at the blockade of Faslane in April 2003. This was due to the Procurator Fiscal’s realisation that the trial would be lengthy due to the number of defence witnesses and would not be completed on the day. Like Alan Wilkie before him Colin was set to argue that he was the subject of discrimination when police at the blockade arrested him, but did not arrest a group whose conduct was identical to his. The group who were not arrested included MSP Tommy Sheridan, Carolyn Leckie (who was a defence witness today) and other candidates for the Scottish Parliament elections which were held the following week.
	
14th	MisTrial Declared for Shannon Peace Activists
14th March 2005 
MisTrial Declared for Shannon Peace Activists	

The trial of five Catholic Worker peace activists collapsed today at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court as Judge Frank O’Donnell discharged the jury. The five accused Deirdre Clancy, Nuin Dunlop, Karen Fallon, Ciaron O’Reilly, and Damien Moran were been charged with causing criminal damage to a US Navy Warplane at Shannon Airport on February 3rd 2003. 
The defendants argued they were attempting to protect lives and property and were upholding the law, by nonviolently resisting Irish participation in the Iraq war.
Their trial began on Monday last March 7th but ran into difficulties on Friday last when the defence counsel requested the judge to discharge the jury.
Judge Frank O’Donnell said he could not reveal the reason for the move because he had to ensure that the retrial was fair and that justice was seen to be done.
The Director of Public Prosecutions must now decide whether to prosecute these five peace activists, who have been on strict bail conditions for over two years.
A substantial group of supporters applauded the activists as they left court. The defendants and their supporters then held a silent single file peace walk, in commemoration of the Iraq war dead, from the Four Courts to Dail Eireann. They were greeted at the Dail gates by John Gormley, Green Party TD; Finian McGrath, Independant TD; and Joe Costello, Labour TD.
The defendants submitted an appeal letter to the Taoiseach on behalf of Kelly Dougherty, former Military seargent with the National Guard Unit and co-founder of Iraq Veterans Against War).
Dougherty came to Ireland to support the ’Pitstop Ploughshares’ defendants and to testify to the brutality and criminality of the US occupation in Iraq.
Her letter called for an end to the use of Shannon Airport by the US Military and requested the Irish government to offer asylum to military resisters.
http://WarOnTrial.com
Update: A new trial date has been set for October 24th 2005 in Dublin’s Four Courts.
	
10th	Scottish Police Dismantle Trident Submarine
10th March 2005 
Scottish Police Dismantle Trident Submarine	

Early on Friday morning officers of Lothian and Borders Police dismantled a large model Trident nuclear weapon submarine which had blocked the street outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh for 14 hours as a challenge to the Parliament to take a stand against Britain’s weapons of mass destruction. 

Protesters sub outside the Scottish Parliament	

At 10 a.m. on Thursday morning the submarine approached the Parliament building and, as it crossed the Canongate, the peace activists on the inside, from Trident Ploughshares and the Theatre of War group, locked on to each other, using tubing and climbing clips. The 25 foot model straddled the busy thoroughfare, allowing only emergency vehicles and other essential traffic to pass.
The 15 people inside came from far and wide across the UK and included Trident Ploughshares pledger Rosie Kane, who is also an MSP. As soon as the news reached the inside of the building MSPs and researchers from three parties came out to give the campaigners their support, making impromptu speeches and chatting with the submariners at the portholes. MSP Carolyn Leckie was expelled from the debating chamber after refusing to give up a placard which explained that Rosie Kane was absent because she had discovered weapons of mass destruction. A parliamentary motion of support for the protesters was tabled.
Throughout the day activists on the outside of the model kept those inside informed of developments and handed in coffee, chips and pizza, as well as shortbread from inside the Parliament. The number of supporters gathered round the sub grew as the day went on and the news spread
For nearly eleven hours the police were content to take a low profile and indeed told the activists that they were not causing an obstruction, although they indicated that if the sub stayed in place it would become a problem. After a final warning at 9 p.m. the police moved the supporters away from the model, with the exception of two activists acting as legal observers. The police then began the task of disentangling the activists from the framework of the model. Due to equipment failure - the batteries ran out on their cutting machines - and an obvious lack of experience, it took them a total of three and a quarter hours to remove very simple lock-ons.
The first activist to be cut out was Brian Quail from Glasgow who suffered severe pain as his wrists were cruelly clamped behind his back by so-called quick cuffs. Following angry protests the officers moderated their use of the cuffs on the other nine who were arrested. There was also surprise and anger as police called a fire brigade unit to help with the cutting-out task. After Rosie Kane loudly and insistently pointed out to the firemen that they were breaching their own rules by helping police in an operation which did not involve risk to human life, they desisted, but not before one fireman had attempted to cut crudely through a lock-on tube with a hacksaw, at huge risk to the arm of one of those locked on.
The activists were taken to St Leonards police station where they were charged with obstructing the traffic. Rosie Kane and Emma Bateman, though they were the last pair arrested, were released at 7 a.m. It was 10 a.m. before the next pair, Angie Zelter and Adam Conway were let out, and the release of the others, Jane Tallents, Jane Smith, Sarah Whiteside, Brain Quail, Peter Lux and Janet Fenton was done in stages that ended at 12.30 p.m. The campaigners, and most notably Rosie herself, were incensed that they police had shown still more political bias by singling her out for early release so as to avoid media attention.
A spokesperson for the group said:
It was a very special moment when the police took the Trident submarine apart bit by bit. This was what we hoped would happen, that they would symbolically achieve what people all over the world are crying out for, the honest and open disarmament of Britain’s hideous arsenal of death.
The opposition to Britain’s nuclear weapons is particularly strong in Scotland and a Scottish Parliament with the courage to take a stand against Trident could make a real contribution to global nuclear disarmament. Specifically it can apply pressure to the Westminster Executive to live up to its commitments under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and play a positive role at the Review Conference of that Treaty in May this year.
The NPT is not only about stopping new countries from getting nuclear weapons, it is also about the nuclear weapon states getting rid of theirs. At the moment Britain is completely refusing to comply with the Treaty.
The model submarine previously blockaded Downing Street for 5 hours on 11th October last year.
	
2nd	Irish Embassy Occupation Ends With Arrests
2nd March 2005 
Irish Embassy Occupation Ends With Arrests	

Five anti-war activists who this morning barricaded themselves into the Irish Embassy in London have been arrested. The occupation of the embassy, which lasted two and a half hours, was in protest against Irish support for the war in Iraq. They were arrested for ’trespassing on diplomatic premises.’ 
More specifically, the demonstrators from Ploughshares were demanding that the Irish government drop charges being held against the ’Pitstop Ploughshares’ for disarmament of US Navy Plane, refueling at Shannon Airport, which was headed to Iraq.
A spokesperson for the group, Joss Garman, said, "This morning the protestors spoke with the ambassador and called for an end to Irish complicity in this illegal and bloody war."
He added, "The Pitstop Ploughshares tried to prevent genocide, and uphold international law. Whilst they face prison, the real criminals like Bertie Ahern, remain at large."
Press Briefing, 9.30am 
Anti War Activists Occupy Irish Embassy in London
Six British anti-war activists today occupied the Irish Embassy in London. They are protesting criminal charges against peace activists who will next week face a possible ten year prison sentence for physically disarming a US Navy Plane at Shannon Airport. Within a month of their action three of the four companies contracted to ferry US troops and weapons had left Ireland.
Just after the embassy opened for business, the protestors peacefully chained themselves together inside of the building in Grosvenor Place, whilst others have hung a banner reading, “PITSTOP PLOUGHSHARES: NOT GUILTY” outside.
Joss Garman, speaking for the demonstrators, explained, “The Pitstop Ploughshares  who damaged the plane at Shannon airport - acted to uphold International Law, and to prevent Irish complicity in genocide. Far from breaking the law, they were upholding it, because the war in Iraq was clearly illegal. It clearly isn’t right that peace campaigners should face years in prison, whilst Bertie Ahern remains at large.”
He added, “We wanted to add our voices to those of Desmond Tutu and Martin Sheen, in proclaiming, “Prevention of a war crime is not a crime.” In many ways, the runway at Shannon airport could be compared to the railroad to Auschwitz, after all, 100,000 people are dead.”

	

February
22nd 	Faslane Discrimination Case Likely to Return to High Court
22nd February 2005 
Faslane Discrimination Case Likely to Return to High Court	

The case of a peace protester who claims he was unfairly treated by being arrested at a Faslane is likely to come before the Scottish High Court for the second time, following his conviction today in Helensburgh District Court for a breach of the peace. 
In the two-day trial Alan Wilkie (72), from Edinburgh, argued that he was the subject of discrimination when police at the April 2003 blockade arrested him, but did not arrest a group whose conduct was identical to his. The group who were not arrested included MSP Tommy Sheridan and other candidates for the Scottish Parliament elections which were held the following week.
Among the nine witnesses in Alan’s defence were MSP Francis Curran and Chief Superintendent E.M. Roger. Campaigners strongly suspect that police were politically motivated in their decisions at the April 2003 blockade and did not want to grant publicity to the candidates by arresting them. The defence called nine witnesses but Justice of the Peace Viv Dance refused to admit evidence about police motivation for a policy of selective arrest.
Alan also argued that the criteria for a breach of the peace conviction, evidence of the fact or likelihood of serious alarm and disturbance, had not been met.
In a lengthy preamble to her guilty verdict JP Dance said there was no evidence of selective arrests and she was satisfied that his behaviour had been disorderly and flagrant. She fined Alan £150
Alan said: “The JP got so much wrong today. In particular there was obvious and indisputable evidence of selective arresting by the police. Still, the guilty verdict does give me the opportunity of taking the matter back to the High Court in an appeal against the verdict.”
At a preliminary hearing on the case Alan had lodged a submission that the arrest breached his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. JP Dance was also presiding at this hearing and rejected the submission. Alan then appealed to the High Court of Justiciary. Although that appeal was rejected on 5th August last year, Lord MacLean, presiding, said that the rejection was simply due to the lack of evidence to support the facts in the case and that the legal issues Alan raised were new and would deserve consideration, should the case return to the High Court. Alan had called a long list of witnesses so that the facts relevant to the claim of discrimination would emerge at his trial.
Anti-Trident campaigners are hoping that Strathclyde’s policy of mass and selective arrests at Faslane protests continues to be under legal and public scrutiny in the run-up to what is likely to be the biggest blockade ever at Faslane on 4th July, just before the G8 summit.
	
18th	Sue Brackenbury in Newbury Magistrates
18th February 2005 
Sue Brackenbury in Newbury Magistrates	

Sue Brackenbury was in Newbury Magistrates Court today, being sentenced for a fence-cutting and spray-painting action at AWE Aldermaston last July with Andrew Gray. They had painted slogans about nuclear convoys; and highlighted the danger and illegality of development of the next generation of nuclear weapons. 
Sue had been told to expect a lengthy prison sentence because of her previous Plymouth sentence last February. Her sentencing was adjourned in January for probation reports.
Instead, Sue was given monetary penalties: £180 fine, £220 compensation (half the alleged fence damage), and £43 costs.
The trial for Andrew Gray is due to be 1st April, but as the CPS has just missed yet another deadline for sending Andrew their skeleton argument, this will almost certainly be delayed.

January
24th 	More Common Sense Than Usual at Faslane Court
24th January 2005 
More Common Sense Than Usual at Faslane Court	

Two activists involved in direct action against Britain’s nuclear weapons were today treated with untypical common sense at Helensburgh District Court. 
Roz from Edinburgh, was charged with painting the entrance road to the Royal Navy Media Reception Centre at Rhu, close to the Trident base at Faslane, on August 30th last year.
Roz readily admitted that she had painted the road at the gateway to the Centre but explained that her conduct had been peaceful and her actions had been justified. The Media Centre ought to be telling the truth about Trident. The UK government was willing to use its nuclear weapons - a form of terrorism which disregarded all law and morality.
Justice of the Peace Andrew Nicolson found her guilty of the offence but instead of fining her, as is standard in this court, he admonished her.
Earlier Sue from Helensburgh, appeared before JP Nicolson for a deferred sentence after taking part in the blockade of Faslane in April 2003. Clare Ryan, Sue’s solicitor, told the JP that Sue would not pay a fine. Faced with the fact that any fine he imposed would sooner or later lead to a prison sentence he deferred sentence for a further six months “to be of good behaviour”, saying that he was not a huge believer in custody for minor offences. He also gave Sue more time to pay on a fine relating to another case.
A Trident Ploughshares spokesperson said: “The JP’s comparatively light touch today may be due to a recognition that punishment is inappropriate in these cases, when people like Roz and Sue have made considerable efforts to be accountable to the court and explain their actions.”
	
20th	Faslane Protest MSP Jailed
20th January 2005 
Faslane Protest MSP Jailed	

Central Scotland MSP Carlolyn Leckie was today sentenced to seven days in prison for refusing to pay a fine for taking part in a blockade of Faslane naval base in February 2002. 
The fine of 100 was imposed at Helensburgh District Court in February 2003 and transferred for collection to her local court in East Kilbride. Because of the alleged offence Carolyn is under investigation by her professional body, the Council of Nursing and Midwifery, for "conduct unworthy of a midwife."
A Trident Ploughshares spokesperson Jane Tallents said: "Sadly, while the vast majority of our politicians in Scotland are shamefully silent and inactive about Britain’s weapons of mass destruction at Faslane, there are brilliant exceptions like Carolyn who are prepared to break the deadening conformity and make a stand. We call on more MSPs to follow her inspiring example.
Everyone in Scotland, whatever their work or lifestyle, has an unalienable right to peacefully confront crimes against humanity. It will be poor show if a body committed to promoting high standards in caring for people punishes someone for protesting against inhumanity."
The next major blockade of Faslane will be on Monday 4th July, just two days before the G8 summit begins at Gleneagles. The date has been chosen to highlight the links between militarism and the exploitation of the poor.
	
2nd	Activists Break into top UK Nuke Base in tsunami aid protest
2nd January 2005 
Activists Break into top UK Nuke Base in tsunami aid protest	

A pair of teenage activists breached high security at Faslane Base tonight to highlight the annual cost of Trident compared to the sum of aid promised by the British government to help the victims of the earthquake in Asia. 
Sam Jones and Joss Garman, both 19 year old students, cut through the outer security fence at the Nuclear Weapons Base causing considerable disruption to base operations and marking the new years’ first direct action against Trident.
Jones, who lived for seven years at Faslane Peace Camp said, "Tony Blair spends 1000 times the sum he has promised in aid to the victims of the earthquake on Trident."
Trident Ploughshares campaigner, Garman, added, "Not content to have killed 100,000 people in Iraq, Blair’s obsession with WMD will now mean that money that could be well spent on humanitarian relief will be spent on a useless and illegal nuclear weapons programme."