Anti-War Actions

For three nights running (5th, 6th and 7th August 2006) Trident Ploughshares activists organized citizens’ inspections at Prestwick Airport. They had been alerted to the likelihood that the airport was being used by the US military to supply Israel with munitions that would be used in their military bombardment of civilian areas of Lebanon. To campaigners usually concerned with Trident and its illegality, this use of Prestwick Airport by the US seemed to be yet another example of a flagrant breach of international law, this time involving the aiding and abetting of war crimes. The authorities which should have responded to these allegations, principally Strathclyde Police and the (then Labour-controlled) Scottish Executive, showed no signs of taking investigative action. In this vacuum Trident Ploughshares decided to act in the public interest and send in citizen inspectors to look for evidence.

Facing trial on 8 - 10th August are Matt Bury (50) from Somerset, Sarah Lasenby (68) from Oxford, Jean Oliver (48) and Douglas Shaw (56), both from Biggar, Olivia Agate (65) from Helensburgh, Marcus Armstrong (46) from Milton Keynes, Chris Bluemel (25) from Southampton, and Angie Zelter (55) from Cromer. They are charged with various offences under the Civil Aviation Act (see below for detail).

Their inspection of the airport was the second of three consecutive nights of inspection activity, (detailed below), by Trident Ploughshares activists. One group has already been tried and acquitted and a further group goes to trial on 30th October.

Trident Ploughshares comment:

“The trial takes place in a hopeful climate. The new Scottish Parliament has voted against the replacement of Trident and there are signs that the new Scottish Government appreciates that international humanitarian law is not just about what happens abroad. The law is also critically concerned with breaches which take place within this country, such as the deployment of illegal WMDs, and collusion in the transfer of prisoners for interrogation under torture or illegal arms trafficking. We hope that the court will have the courage to follow through the implications of international law and recognise that we acted in the public interest.”

Photos available here (once you view an individual photo you can see it at the original resolution by clicking where it says “Full size” above the photo)

The Inspections

5th/6th August 2006

A group of activists were inside Prestwick Airport for over two hours. They found the military area and monitored the flights. They noted 3 Atlas Aircraft alongside one USAF plane. Then they witnessed the arrival of another Atlas plane that was escorted by fire engines, which suggests there was a hazardous load aboard. They approached this last plane to inspect it and were arrested before they could confirm the load.

6th/7th August 2006

Two groups of activists entered Prestwick from two separate locations. The first team of four was apprehended by airport security within five minutes of entering the airport and within 100 yards of the security fence. The second group of three entered the airport, spending over two hours collecting evidence. They noted a Polar Air Cargo (N920FT) next to a USAF (40208) plane alongside another USAF (N123AQ) plane. There were more planes in a well-lit hangar where repairs were being carried out. They then spotted an engineer (who later stated he was repairing the radar equipment) in front of an open USAF C130 military aircraft. The team entered the plane behind the back of this engineer (only ten yards away). Marcus was sitting in the cockpit reading a manual when he was apprehended by a US serviceman. Angie and Chris were apprehended while searching the body of the plane which contained the personal possessions of servicemen (confirmed by one of the US servicemen) and the empty seats awaiting the servicemen.

7th/8th August 2006

A further group of five activists were in the airport grounds for around 40 minutes before being apprehended. They saw two USAF C130 Hercules aircraft. They opened the door of one which they found was unlocked and entered. It was labelled “Air National Guard, the 1st State” (which is Delaware) and was numbered 40208. (This was the same aircraft that had been seen by the previous Team the night before). Two airport ground-workers saw the entry and tried to stop the inspection from proceeding. The Team examined the cargo area and found supplies but no ordinance. Anna-Linnea went to the cockpit and examined documentation and manuals and took photos. The Team, accompanied by the two ground-workers, then proceeded to examine a Polar Air aircraft that was also present in the area. One of the engines was wrapped in white sheets and one of the ground workers said it was scrapped. Proceeding to the other USAF plane, Ludd was thrown to the ground by one of the ground-workers, and the door was then blocked by the ground staff. The Team were then arrested.

The Charges

Trial 8-10 August 2007

Angie Zelter, Marcus Armstrong, Chris Bluemel

1. Trespassing on an aerodrome
   (s.39(1) Civil Aviation Act 1982)
2. Unauthorised presence on board aircraft
   (s.21D Aviation Security Act 1982)

Douglas Shaw, Jean Oliver, Sarah Lasenby, Matt Bury

1. Trespassing on an aerodrome
   (s.39(1) Civil Aviation Act 1982)

Olivia Agate

1. Art and Part
   (s.293 Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995)

Trial 30 October 2007

Roz Bullen, Kate Holcombe, Sylvia Boyes

1. Trespassing on an aerodrome
   (s.39(1) Civil Aviation Act 1982)

Trial Concluded 1 December 2006

Anna-Linnea Rundberg, Joe McLoughlin, Ludwig Appeltans, Pippa Robertson, Richard McKean

1. Unauthorised presence in restricted zone
   (s.21C Aviation Security Act 1982)
   ALL ACQUITTED (not insisted on at close of Crown case)
2. Unauthorised presence on board aircraft
   (s.21D Aviation Security Act 1982)
   ALL ACQUITTED (No Case to Answer submission accepted)
3. Vandalism
   (s.52 Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995)
   ALL ACQUITTED (not insisted on at close of Crown case)

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