Photos from Faslane nuclear weapons base
undercurrents | 09.10.2006 14:11 | Faslane | Anti-militarism | World
Carol arrested
Carol and De chained together
A Swansea grandmother of 3 was arrested in Scotland at 9.00am this morning. De Murphy had chained her self with dozens of other people blockading the North gate of Faslane nuclear naval base.
Her action has begun a whole year of disruption at the Clyde nuclear weapons base. A video journalist from Swansea based Undercurrents productions filmed the blockade this morning for a documentary to be released in 2007.
De Murphy (50), a bookkeeper from Murton, Swansea was arrested along side Carol Anne Philliphs from Carmarthen. Their blockade created a three mile traffic jam of navy trucks, cars and administration workers. The base was shut down for 20 minutes until Police cut metal tubes and chains off the two.
Faslane 365, the coordinating group behind the planned 12 month blockade, have stated their aims on www.faslane365.org-
‘Trident nuclear weapons should be taken out of deployment and the government makes a timetable for dismantling the weapons, together with a commitment not to develop any new nuclear weapons.’
De Murphy showed no regret about her action and as she was put into a Police Van she turned to the media cameras and said-
‘Nuclear weapons have to be stopped and we did what we came here to do’
Tony Blair is considering spending between £40 and £76 billion to keep nuclear weapons in the UK until at least the year 2055.
Notes to editors
The Undercurrents video journalist can be contacted on location on 07970 161886 (Helen lles)
Photographs of De Murphy being arrested are available from
info@undercurrents.org or 01792 455900. For media queries about Faslane365 call 0845 45 88 365 or www.faslane365.org
undercurrents
e-mail:
info@undercurrents.org
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http://www.undercurrents.org
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Evening Post article on arrests
22.10.2006 09:53
ROB GREEN
10:00 - 10 October 2006
A Swansea granny has been arrested during a protest against the Faslane nuclear naval base in Scotland.De Murphy, of Murton, was among a group of protesters who chained themselves to the front gates of the base yesterday to protest about proposals to replace the UK's Trident nuclear missile programme.
Ms Murphy, aged 50, travelled to the base in Clyde as part of a year-long campaign against the proposals. She was expected to be released from custody sometime today.
Helen Iles, who was also at the base, said Ms Murphy knew what she was getting into.
"She accepted the risk of arrest, but when it happened she was very emotional.
"She has put herself on the line for what she believes, and I think she acted very courageously."
The cost of replacing Trident has been estimated at anywhere between £25 billion and £76 billion.
Ms Murphy has been involved in a number of high-profile protests in the past.
In August she was arrested outside the National Museum in Cardiff during a protest against Israeli bombing in Palestine. In November 2004 she released a video showing her time in a Palestinian village.
She has also taken part in a number of protests against the war in Iraq.
Ms Murphy was joined in her protest by Carol Anne Phillips from Carmarthen.
The pair were chained together and then attached themselves to the gates, preventing traffic from entering and leaving the base.
Ms Iles from Undercurrents, who is making a documentary about the action, said: "Their blockade created a three-mile traffic jam of navy trucks, cars and administration workers.
"The base was shut down for 20 minutes until police cut metal tubes and chains off the two."
Protestors are hoping to carry out a series of demonstrations at the base over the next 12 months.
Ms Iles added: "Different groups will be organising various demonstrations to keep up the pressure.
"This particular one began 10 days ago, and there have been a number of arrests during that time. Everyone who has been arrested were held overnight and then released, so hopefully De will be out today."
After her arrest Ms Murphy said: "Nuclear weapons have to be stopped, and we did what we came here to do."
web link:
www.faslane365.org
South Wales Evening Post