On 15th June, the 6th day of the FABB camp, the morning vigil took place as usual at 7am at the main gate at Coulport. At 10 am the Glasgow C
atholic Workers arrived for their monthly vigil against nuclear weapons. Graphic pictures of the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were displayed around the fencing in the middle of the roundabout and the service began with speakers clustered by the Nagasaki Cross. Emotional testimonies were read out from various people involved in the war crimes of that time including a Roman Catholic priest, serving in the US military, repenting of his involvement in the bombing.
At the end of the service 3 women poured fake blood on themselves and lay in the roundabout. 1 woman was taken away before she could lie down and the 2 others lay there until told it was their last chance to get up.
Ros McEwan, (lying in the foreground) a retired primary school teacher, told us she was concerned about the future of the world and all its inhabitants. She refused to move and was arrested and taken by the police. In her written statement to the police, she stated, ‘I am a practicing Buddhist and have to do my bit to raise awareness and take a stand against these illegal weapons of mass destruction……nuclear weapons do not stop wars – which only destroy lives and the economy but have a huge carbon bootprint ….. nuclear weapons are not a deterrent, they are a provocation ….. we need to disarm and invest in environmentally sustainable industries and programmes which will enhance the wellbeing of all of the planet.’
Gillean Lawrence, (Lying in the background) decided to leave, when warned by the police of her imminent arrest. This was because the previous day when arrested and taken to Clydebank police station, she was forced under duress to sign an ‘undertaking’ as the police were still refusing to let her take her heart medication and after 9 hours in the cells and threatened with being held until court the next day, she was frightened of a stroke. This unacceptable behaviour by the police has been reported and a formal complaint will be made.
More information contact fabb@gn.apc.org or phone 07454-573135.