Press Releases & Updates 2008

Long-standing peace activist and member of nonviolent direct action group Trident Ploughshares Sylvia Boyes, from Keighley, was today sentenced to three months’ imprisonment at HMP New Hall, West Yorkshire by Bingley Magistrates’ Court. The sentence was issued for Sylvia’s refusal to undertake "community punishment" for her part in an action against US "missile defence" at Fylingdales Ballistic Missile Early Warning Station in North Yorkshire on 6 August 2008, the 63rd anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

Sylvia was originally arrested with fellow Trident Ploughshares activist Erica Wilson as the pair attempted to hinder activities at the base. The couple had gained entry by cutting through the perimeter fence and poured red paint to symbolise the bloodshed threatened by aggressive US foreign policy and the British Government’s acquiescence.

At her trial at Scarborough Magistrates’ Court in October, Sylvia was found guilty of committing criminal damage. She was subsequently sentenced to 150 hours "community punishment".

Sylvia had earlier said "Since I believe that my government is acting unlawfully and immorally, I as a citizen have a duty to uphold the law and try to right a terrible wrong. Having lived all my life under the threat of nuclear mass murder and destruction I do not intend to stay silent about the dangers into which the USA and its aggressive policies is leading us."

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