Three renowned peace campaigners from direct action group Trident Ploughshares, were on trial today in Plymouth Crown Court charged with trying to disarm a nuclear submarine, one of Britain’s own WMD.
Press release: 25th February
For immediate release
DEVONPORT 3 PUT TRIDENT ON TRIAL
Three renowned peace campaigners from direct action group Trident Ploughshares, were on trial today in Plymouth Crown Court charged with trying to disarm a nuclear submarine, one of Britain’s own WMD.
Sue Brackenbury from Faslane Peace Camp, and Matt Bury were arrested last September when they entered Devonport dockyards with disarmament equipment intent on openly, safely and accountably disarming HMS Vanguard, currently being refitted.
On failing to reach the submarine, Sue was not discouraged and returned in October last year with Plymouth Grandmother, Shirley Law, and again tried to enter Devonport. Since that action Sue has been on remand.
Today, as both the prosecution and the defence put their cases, International law was at the forefront of the debate. The activists insisted throughout, that far from breaking the law, they were in fact upholding it.
Joss Garman, a spokesperson for Trident Ploughshares, explained, “The highest legal body in the world, the International Court of Justice in the Hague clearly stated in 1996 that nuclear weapons are illegal. Indeed, in 1999, this decision was reiterated by a Scottish Court when it ruled that three Ploughshares campaigners acted to prevent a greater crime when they destroyed a Trident laboratory.”
He continued, “We very much hope that the Jury will respect that International law over rules national obligations and that not only were the protestors morally justified, but also legally because they acted out of necessity.”
The trial will continue tomorrow.
For more information:
Joss Garman 07815 004 578
www.tridentpoughshares.org
Notes:
1) The first of the actions in question was on September 22nd, and the second on October 9th. 2) All of the activists are charged with Criminal Damage and carrying articles with the intent to cause further criminal damage. 3) Trident Ploughshares is a campaign to disarm the UK Trident nuclear weapons system in a non-violent, open, peaceful and fully accountable manner. People from all around the world have pledged to disarm Trident in this way. We act to uphold international humanitarian law and to expose the illegality of the Trident system.
For immediate release
DEVONPORT 3 PUT TRIDENT ON TRIAL
Three renowned peace campaigners from direct action group Trident Ploughshares, were on trial today in Plymouth Crown Court charged with trying to disarm a nuclear submarine, one of Britain’s own WMD.
Sue Brackenbury from Faslane Peace Camp, and Matt Bury were arrested last September when they entered Devonport dockyards with disarmament equipment intent on openly, safely and accountably disarming HMS Vanguard, currently being refitted.
On failing to reach the submarine, Sue was not discouraged and returned in October last year with Plymouth Grandmother, Shirley Law, and again tried to enter Devonport. Since that action Sue has been on remand.
Today, as both the prosecution and the defence put their cases, International law was at the forefront of the debate. The activists insisted throughout, that far from breaking the law, they were in fact upholding it.
Joss Garman, a spokesperson for Trident Ploughshares, explained, “The highest legal body in the world, the International Court of Justice in the Hague clearly stated in 1996 that nuclear weapons are illegal. Indeed, in 1999, this decision was reiterated by a Scottish Court when it ruled that three Ploughshares campaigners acted to prevent a greater crime when they destroyed a Trident laboratory.”
He continued, “We very much hope that the Jury will respect that International law over rules national obligations and that not only were the protestors morally justified, but also legally because they acted out of necessity.”
The trial will continue tomorrow.
For more information:
Joss Garman 07815 004 578
www.tridentpoughshares.org
Notes:
1) The first of the actions in question was on September 22nd, and the second on October 9th. 2) All of the activists are charged with Criminal Damage and carrying articles with the intent to cause further criminal damage. 3) Trident Ploughshares is a campaign to disarm the UK Trident nuclear weapons system in a non-violent, open, peaceful and fully accountable manner. People from all around the world have pledged to disarm Trident in this way. We act to uphold international humanitarian law and to expose the illegality of the Trident system.
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Comments
Hide the following 3 comments
Why ?
25.02.2004 18:14
Did it get any coverage in the mainstream media and therefore remind the general public of the Trident issue - No
Was it likely that these individuals could have "disarmed" the submarine - No
Will it make it any more likely that Britain will abandon its Nuclear Weapons - No
Will it prove another excuse for ever more Draconian "anti-terrorist" laws - Maybe
I ask again "What was achieved here ? "
Dave
Yes it does acieve results
27.02.2004 19:26
In October 2002 two activists went over the fence to test defences and to their amazement got to 9Dock cut through the fence and spent five minutes in the sub. We might have got there too! At least we are trying to do something, says Sue, what are you doing? We have to keep at it, silence is consent. I think that the government realises that an open and accountable organisation like TP are hardly terrorist.
What would you do? at least we are trying to save lives and are able to sleep at night.
Matt
what have you achieved dave?
03.03.2004 10:50
I suppose you think christians praying is a waste of time as well?
dave, but not dodgy dave