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Leicester people in training to blockade nuclear base.

John Talbut | 15.10.2006 22:18

Leicester people have started preparing to take their turn in the Faslane 365 blockade of the Faslane nuclear submarine base. A training day in non-violent resistance tool place on Saturday 14th October. Leicester's turn to blockade the base is in early December.

Over 30 people took part on Saturday in a day's training in non-violent resistance in Leicester, the first in a series of trainings for blockading the Faslane nuclear weapons base on the Clyde. The Leicester group's action will be part of a campaign against nuclear weapons that started at the beginning of October and aims to blockade the base for a year. Ages covered teens to seniors, with family groups included, all prepared to make the journey and stay for at least two winter days to register their commitment to a shared cause.

The British government is currently considering whether to replace the Trident weapons system when it comes to the end of its life. The blockaders are calling for a decision not to replace the weapons and to get rid of the existing weapons. They point out that Britain's nuclear weapons encourage countries like Iran and North Korea to obtain these weapons and make the world a far more dangerous place.

Local psychotherapist and participant John Talbut said “I'm prepared to risk arrest to try to close Faslane nuclear base because by possessing or replacing Trident Britain is making nuclear war in the future much more likely. Trident breaks international law and makes other countries feel unsafe so that they want nuclear weapons too. I want the world to have a future without the risk of nuclear war.”

The Leicester group is just one of many participating in the year-long campaign, each group aiming to blockade the base for a day. Some are city based, others focus on professions such as religious leaders, health professionals, journalists and academics, as well as groups such as cyclists.

The training made clear that, whatever people's reasons for joining the campaign, all action will be strictly non-violent. Participants were shown how to protect themselves if they were carried away by the police, and how to respond with courtesy and respect. They practised strategies for blocking the entrances to the base such as sitting down and linking arms. Those who had been on blockades before shared their experiences including being arrested.

Most of the participants in the training were willing to be arrested. However, it was emphasised that plenty of people were needed for jobs that would not risk arrest such as providing refreshments, observing, giving legal support and generally encouraging the blockaders.

For more information, including how to join the Leicester blockade, contact Zina Zelter on 0116 253 1649 email:  zinazelter@yahoo.co.uk or look on the www.faslane365.org web site for national information.

Information may also be obtained from John Talbut on 01530 836780.

John Talbut
- e-mail: im@dpets.demon.co.uk