Trident Ploughshares Arrests Reach the 200 Mark
On Sunday 16th May 16 Trident Ploughshares activists were arrested variously for blockading the gates of the Faslane naval base, cutting the perimeter fence and padlocking themselves to it. One was arrested for cutting into the Coulport base. These actions came after a demonstration at the North Gate which was attended by about 40 people, including SNP European candidate, Professor Neil MacCormick, who said:
"These bases are a menace to people in far countries and to Scotland. These hills and lochs were not made for the housing of instruments of mass killing and maiming. Scotland wants no nuclear weapons. "
Panda then led the musicians out across the entrance:
They played as people danced the Strip the Willow in front of the main gate:
Among those arrested were a group of four, including two wheelchair users, Morag Balfour and Roz Bullen, who attached themselves to the perimeter fence in a complex weaving of arms, legs, wheelchairs and padlocks. It took police well over an hour to deal with them and eventually Roz freed herself.
Arrested for blockading the South Gate was Joan Meredith, a 69 year old retired teacher of the deaf from Alnwick in Northumberland. Joan said: " This has been a good day. It began with the Quaker service at the North gate when the speakers highlighted the contrast between the beauty of the countryside all around and the ugliness of nuclear weapons. And now to see so many people willing to put themselves on the line for what's right fills me with hope."
Todays arrests brings the TP 2000 total to 200, with many court cases in the pipeline and two appeals to the High Court.
The Ploughshares 2000 camp was held over the weekend in Peaton Glen Wood:
The camp is close to the Coulport nuclear weapon store and looks out over Loch Long:
