Anti-War Actions

Several Trident Ploughshares pledgers have been at the forefront of protest against the War in Iraq. In the weeks of build-up to the war and during the war pledgers used non-violent direct action against the military machinery of war at bases around the UK and Ireland.

Trident Ploughshares and the War in Iraq

Iraq War Is Illegal

Trident Ploughshares pledgers made several successful disarmament actions against the preparations for war. All were peaceful and non-violent and included:

  Faslane Peace Camp resident, and Trident Ploughshares Pledger, Karen Fallon, was one of the ’Shannon 5’, who disarmed a US Navy Plane and dug up the runway. Their Pit Stop Ploughshare action was one of the most high profile direct actions against war in Ireland. They have spent several months on remand at Limerick Prison, and are currently now on bail. They could face many years in gaol. The trial date is now set for March 7th 2005 in Dublin. (more on Karen, Pitstop Ploughshares Site)

  In the most successful Ploughshares action in the UK ever, over one million pounds worth of damage was done single-handedly by renowned Danish peace campaigner, Ulla Roder, to a Tornado jet bound for the Gulf. Her action on March 10^th at RAF Leuchars prevented the use of that weapon of mass destruction (WMD), and may have prevented the loss of hundreds of lives. Ulla is now released after being on remand at HMP Cornton Vale. (more on Ulla, Free Ulla Website)

  Trident Ploughshares activists, Margaret Jones and Paul Milling, did an estimated £350,000 worth of damage to B52 support vehicles at USAF Fairford, home to the American bomber plane WMD on 13^th March. After a short time on remand they have now been released on bail. (more on Margaret)

  Seventeen year old Trident Ploughshares peace campaigner, Joss Garman, was arrested near to the runway inside USAF Fairford, alongside peace activist Sam Grafton, equipped with disarmament tools on March 26th. They were remanded for three days before being released on bail.

  Prior to Ulla’s action, early on the morning of Monday 10th March, two other anti-war TP activists breached security at RAF Leuchars in order to inspect the base ahead of its likely illegal use in an attack on Iraq. In their accountable action Petter and Roz were able to inspect the base for over two hours before being discovered, despite Roz being in a wheelchair. They awaited arrest and questioned RAF police about use of the Tornados in the looming war and their use in the No-Fly-Zones since 1991. They painted "peace" across the doors of an empty Tornado hanger, "solidarity with people of Iraq" on an army truck, and various other symbols of peace. Newspaper report of the trial

  Ploughshares activists, Olivia Agate and Joss Garman, and veteran anti-Trident protester, Sylvia Boyes, were arrested breaking into Menwith Hill US Spy Base in Yorkshire on February 1^st. Menwith Hill plays a vital role in finding targets in Iraq as well as being a part of the Trident system.

  Angie Zelter, well-known activist and Trident Ploughshares disarmer in the successful Loch Goil action, was arrested trespassing inside USAF Lakenheath with Clive Fudge, on 19^th March. Angie was remanded for a short time at HMP High Point before being released on bail. They were making their way towards the nuclear capable US F15 Strike-Eagle aircraft.(More on Angie and Clive, Court verdict (Word doc))

Additionally several pledgers have visited Iraq, Israel and Palestine as International Observers, attempting to prevent the indescriminate loss of civilian life and to build positive solutions for the future.

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