Yorkshire Anti-Trident Actions

With the Government making a decision on replacing the Trident nuclear weapons system, Yorkshire activists have been busy having their say.

Demonstrators from all across the country, including York, made their way to London for a national demonstration on February 24th. The vote date was then announced as being March 14th, and so activity was stepped up a gear with Leeds Quakers joining a larger group of Quakers, including four from York, in a blockade of Faslane on March 3rd/4th/5th.

About 40 people held a Meeting for Worship outside Faslane nuclear base. After this, 10 Friends were arrested whilst upholding Peace Testimony by non-violently blocking the road. All protesters were subsequently released with the usual warning letters.

Then on March 11th/12th Leeds University sent a small group up to Faslane. But despite these small numbers and the wet weather, a very visible presence was maintained on both days.

On the day of the vote, a number of actions were called for across the country, including a rally in Bradford and a benefit gig in York. The Bradford rally saw the samba band play, the usual speeches from politicians and then sitting around watching the results of the vote on the big screen.

A twelve strong group from York dressed as Vikings successfully blockaded both entrances to the Faslane nuclear submarine base on March 18th. One of the protesters Richard Lane said "The Vikings slaughtered tens of thousands of people but they did so over half a millennium. Trident could do the same in a minute."