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the B52 TWO - Bristol Crown Court

lhm | 21.05.2007 23:07 | Anti-militarism | South Coast

Today clusters of people turned up from near and far for the Monday morning court appearance of the B52 Two. These two ordinary men attempted with all seriousness to transform a B52 bomber to prevent it going to kill people in Iraq and are now in court for conspiring to do so.


Oxford peace activists Philip Pritchard and Toby Olditch had entered RAF Fairford and attempted to disarm USAF B-52 bombers early on 18th March 2003. Their decision to take this peaceful direct action was a response to absolute frustration; that all previous international pressure and efforts to prevent the prosecution of an illegal and unjustified war had come to nothing.

Whilst the court was postponed for the day because one of the jurors was ill, people gathered to show solidarity from far and near in the cafe's adjacent to Small Street where the crown court is situated.

One small red and black spider made a woolly web which showed it capturing cluster bombs (which continue to bug ordinary people in Iraq), similiar to those believed to have been widely being dropped in Iraq. These need seriously banning, though one type are likely to continue to be used by the UK.

During this time a court security man came out and demanded that no photos be taken, he stated that a poster inside said this was not permitted and yet there was no such poster when this was checked. Nevertheless - poetic friendlies and pally police showed some involvement and delight at the display, as did passerby's. (No images of this insignificant event will be posted).

Check the court blog out on the website below.

 http://www.b52two.org/

lhm