Hundreds gather for Aldermaston march send-off
JK | 09.04.2004 15:30
More than 1,000 people gathered in a sun-bathed central London this morning for the first stage of the London-Aldermaston march.
The colourful rally, held in Trafalgar Square, marked the beginning of the four-day march to the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston in Berkshire.
The colourful rally, held in Trafalgar Square, marked the beginning of the four-day march to the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston in Berkshire.
Speakers including Tony Benn, Jeremy Corbyn, Caroline Lucas and Bruce Kent, addressed the crowds, which included original 1958 marchers and a new generation of marchers - making the journey for the first time. Celebrities from the worlds of music, film and television - including Damon Albarn, Susannah York and Roger Lloyd Pack also participated in the event.
More than 500 have begun the march to Southall - where it will stop tonight, before moving on to Slough and then Reading. It will arrive at AWE Aldermaston on Monday 12 April, at around 1pm.
At Aldermaston marchers and protesters will surround the base to draw attention to the planned developments. Aldermaston is at the heart of the UK's nuclear weapons programme, and is where Britain's nuclear warheads have been produced since the 1950s.
In 1958, the very first London to Aldermaston march, over four days, saw the birth of CND and the introduction of the famous CND symbol. People are marching again in 2004 to call on the British government to stop the upgrade of the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Aldermaston, and prevent any further and unlawful development of Britain's Weapons of Mass Destruction
.
Setting off on the march, previous marcher Jasmine Lail (Nottingham) said “This march is not taking place in isolation, it is part of an international movement against war and nuclear weapons. The nuclear issue is one that people worldwide are concerned about", adding "The atmosphere this morning is great and the march is getting a really positive response from the people it is encountering on London's streets. It is great to be here".
Aldermaston2004 has been jointly organised by Aldermaston Women's Peace Camp(aign), CND, and Slough4Peace
-end-
More than 500 have begun the march to Southall - where it will stop tonight, before moving on to Slough and then Reading. It will arrive at AWE Aldermaston on Monday 12 April, at around 1pm.
At Aldermaston marchers and protesters will surround the base to draw attention to the planned developments. Aldermaston is at the heart of the UK's nuclear weapons programme, and is where Britain's nuclear warheads have been produced since the 1950s.
In 1958, the very first London to Aldermaston march, over four days, saw the birth of CND and the introduction of the famous CND symbol. People are marching again in 2004 to call on the British government to stop the upgrade of the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Aldermaston, and prevent any further and unlawful development of Britain's Weapons of Mass Destruction
.
Setting off on the march, previous marcher Jasmine Lail (Nottingham) said “This march is not taking place in isolation, it is part of an international movement against war and nuclear weapons. The nuclear issue is one that people worldwide are concerned about", adding "The atmosphere this morning is great and the march is getting a really positive response from the people it is encountering on London's streets. It is great to be here".
Aldermaston2004 has been jointly organised by Aldermaston Women's Peace Camp(aign), CND, and Slough4Peace
-end-
JK
Homepage:
http://www.aldermaston2004.net
Comments
Hide the following 7 comments
How Many ?
09.04.2004 18:35
Did you lot ever get the mood of the country wrong. You were out of date in the 80's now your just a irritation to traffic.
Aldermaston worker
Some pics from the send off
09.04.2004 19:19
Aldermaston 2004 pic1
Aldermaston 2004 pic2
Aldermaston 2004 pic3
Who cares about the comment of the AWE worker - good action, although more people would be nice. Shows again that Stop the War is more into anti-Bush, than looking at UK nuclear and military policy...
ask
It's the principle of the thing!
10.04.2004 00:38
Wouldn't expect a pro-military person to understand where they're coming from, though, would you?
Besides, there will be more walkers joining en route, as is the way of these things.
All Da Massed On
Numbers
10.04.2004 13:31
For those of you who could't be bothered to get off your fat middle class arses you should be ashamed.
Sam
See you at Aldermaston, troll
10.04.2004 16:56
You will recognise me straight away - I'll be wearing a dhoti and turban (as I always do). Come debate with me - I have the courage.
Prajña
Homepage:
http://warcrimes.org.uk/
rally turnout
10.04.2004 20:54
On top of that, it was in the easter holiday...
For an activist event a 1000 is not bad and it's important to still do this march, even if it's just several hundred.
rachel
ben okri poetry
10.04.2004 20:57
rachel