CHURCHMAN'S DEMO ARREST
sara | 26.03.2003 18:59
A Methodist minister and two grannies were arrested last night during a peace protest at a Devon petrol station.
A Methodist minister and two grannies were arrested last night during a peace protest at a Devon petrol station.
Reverend David Harding, Mo Mooney, 54, 45 year-old Simon Watton and 65-year-old Eve Connell were arrested at the entrance to an Esso station in Exmouth and the four were kept in police cells for three hours before being released.
They were part of a 30-strong demonstration at the Salterton Road filling station. The protesters believe Esso's parent company, US oil giant Exxon Mobil, supports a war in Iraq with the aim of gaining access to the country's oil reserves.
Five police cars, eight officers and a dog-handling unit were sent to the scene of the protest.
Rev Harding, who works in Exmouth, said he had been left with no alternative but to face arrest. "In light of the illegal war being fought in Iraq we have to step up our campaign," he said.
"We support our servicemen and women over there and want them bought back safely before they are forced to commit illegal acts. This war is not about weapons of mass destruction - it's about oil, and that's why we're here."
Passing motorists could not get into the station and were encouraged to sound their horns in support of the demonstration.
Police arrived at 6.30pm and radioed for back-up. Most of the protesters were cleared from the entrance but several refused to move and lay across the concrete forecourt surface. They were warned they would be arrested for obstructing the public highway.
At 7pm Mr Watton was carried from the entrance by police officers. When he lay back down on the forecourt he was arrested. He was led to the police car to cheers from his fellow protesters.
Raging granny and former Royal Navy Wren, Mo Mooney, was the next to be moved off.
"I served my country for many years and as far as I'm concerned I'm serving it now," she said as she was carried away.
Rev Harding and another raging granny, Eve Connell, were next to be arrested. All four were bailed to return to Exmouth police station next month.
The officer in charge of proceedings, Sergeant John Gait Note:cor , said he had not wanted to make the arrests but had been left with no option.
Esso spokesman David Eglinton Note:cor said the firm had no view on the war in Iraq. (!!!)
Reverend David Harding, Mo Mooney, 54, 45 year-old Simon Watton and 65-year-old Eve Connell were arrested at the entrance to an Esso station in Exmouth and the four were kept in police cells for three hours before being released.
They were part of a 30-strong demonstration at the Salterton Road filling station. The protesters believe Esso's parent company, US oil giant Exxon Mobil, supports a war in Iraq with the aim of gaining access to the country's oil reserves.
Five police cars, eight officers and a dog-handling unit were sent to the scene of the protest.
Rev Harding, who works in Exmouth, said he had been left with no alternative but to face arrest. "In light of the illegal war being fought in Iraq we have to step up our campaign," he said.
"We support our servicemen and women over there and want them bought back safely before they are forced to commit illegal acts. This war is not about weapons of mass destruction - it's about oil, and that's why we're here."
Passing motorists could not get into the station and were encouraged to sound their horns in support of the demonstration.
Police arrived at 6.30pm and radioed for back-up. Most of the protesters were cleared from the entrance but several refused to move and lay across the concrete forecourt surface. They were warned they would be arrested for obstructing the public highway.
At 7pm Mr Watton was carried from the entrance by police officers. When he lay back down on the forecourt he was arrested. He was led to the police car to cheers from his fellow protesters.
Raging granny and former Royal Navy Wren, Mo Mooney, was the next to be moved off.
"I served my country for many years and as far as I'm concerned I'm serving it now," she said as she was carried away.
Rev Harding and another raging granny, Eve Connell, were next to be arrested. All four were bailed to return to Exmouth police station next month.
The officer in charge of proceedings, Sergeant John Gait Note:cor , said he had not wanted to make the arrests but had been left with no option.
Esso spokesman David Eglinton Note:cor said the firm had no view on the war in Iraq. (!!!)
sara
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