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Mass blockade of Faslane nuclear base - Over 70 arrested! Mass disobedience!

Trident Ploughshares repost by Barry Kade | 24.08.2004 03:34 | Anti-militarism

Faslane BLOCKADED 23rd August 2004!!! Over 70 Arrests at Carry On Up The Clyde!
72 people, including four members of the Scottish Parliament, have been arrested during the blockade of Faslane naval base on the Clyde.

Carry on up the Clyde! August 23rd 2004
Carry on up the Clyde! August 23rd 2004


From 6.30 this morning there were long tailbacks of worker traffic as the protesters besieged the gates of the base, sitting down in the roadway and locking on to each other. Two climbers scaled lamp-posts and hung across the main gate of the base a large banner reading "Nuclear Free Scotland". The base was disrupted for almost nine hours as gates cleared by police were blocked again by activists.

The MSPs arrested are Mark Ballard, Francis Curran, Rosie Kane and Patrick Harvie. Along with the others they are likely to be released from police custody this evening.

The blockade has now been closed with a formal ceremony but further actions against the base may be taken during the rest of the day.

Overnight two Scandinavian activists, Tiina Sarkinen, 23, a plant scientist from Finland, and Anna Goransson, 24, a student from Sweden, swam into the high security berths where the Trident submarines are berthed and got 200 metres inside the boom before being apprehended. Early this morning Petter Joelson (27), from Goteborg in Sweden, and Per Hilkrstrom (22), from Nosrkoping in Sweden breached security at the Trident nuclear warhead store at Coulport on Loch Long, five miles from Faslane.

A Big Blockade spokesperson said: "We are delighted that so many people have been willing today to take a stand against Britain’s weapons of mass destruction."

The Trident Ploughshares camp at Coulport continues until 1st September, with the prospect of further direct action against the Trident bases.


Trident Ploughshares repost by Barry Kade
- Homepage: http://www.tridentploughshares.org


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Previous report from Ploughshares

24.08.2004 15:14


Press Briefing
23rd August 2004
All Gates Blocked at British Nuke Base
This morning there are long tailbacks of worker traffic at Faslane on the Clyde as peace activists continue to block the entrances to the Trident nuclear weapon base.

The blockade began around 6.30 a.m. as a group of campaigners locked themselves to each other at the main gate of the base. At the time writing (8.30 a.m.) all five gates are blocked. A large banner reading "Nuclear Free Scotland" is being held above the main gate by two climbers who have scaled lamp-posts. So far there have been 18 arrests.

Overnight two Scandinavian activists, Tiina Sarkinen, 23, a plant scientist from Finland, and Anna Goransson, 24, a student from Sweden, swam into the high security berths where the Trident submarines are berthed and got 200 metres inside the boom before being apprehended. Early this morning Petter Joelson (27), from Goteborg in Sweden, and Per Hilkrstrom (22), from Nosrkoping in Sweden breached security at the Trident nuclear warhead store at Coulport on Loch Long, five miles from Faslane.

A particular feature of this morning’s protest is the presence of around 12 members of the Scottish Parliament, one of whom, Mark Ballard, is locked on to other protesters at the main gate. Many other parliamentarians have sent their messages of support, including Westminster MP Alan Simpson who said: "Today's demonstration is the genuine anti-terrorist movement. Rogue states (and rogue super states) break international weapons treaties to develop new weapons of mass destruction. In turn, this creates rogue movements that develop weapons of mass panic. To break the cycle we have to assert the right to live without nuclear weapons and to oppose those who do so by stealth or power. This is why the movement you are a part of is so important. I am proud to be associated with you."

Barry Kade
- Homepage: http://www.easf.org.uk


Well Done....but?

24.08.2004 18:45

Admire you people a lot-but if we're going to get arrested, fined, criminalised and victimised why not do this in Glasgow city centre instead and stop the profit system for a few hours- it's the only thing that changes things-re the Poll Tax.

Good Luck
Pete p

Pete P


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