Press Releases & Updates 2000

Due to the early closure of a previous case, barrister Vera Baird has joined the legal team representing Rosie James and Rachel Wenham in their forthcoming trial at Lancaster Crown Court. As a defence barrister, Ms Baird has taken several nuclear and anti-militarist protest cases, most notably representing Jo Wilson in the successful Hawks to Indonesia case at Liverpool Crown Court in 1997. All four women defendants in the Seeds of Hope -East Timor Ploughshares group were acquitted on charges of £1.5m damage to a BAe Hawk jet about to be sent to Indonesia. Their defence was based on the argument that they had "lawful excuse"; the same defence will be presented by Vera Baird on behalf of Rosie James and Rachel Wenham - that they too had "lawful excuse" in their action which aimed to prevent the deployment of HMS Vengeance and Britain’s Trident nuclear warheads.

Background: On 1 February 1999, Rachel Wenham and Rosie James boarded HMS Vengeance, Trident nuclear submarine, at Devonshire Dock in Barrow in Furness. They caused damage to the submarine’s testing equipment, to an estimated value in excess of £25,000. The action was part of Trident Ploughshares, an ongoing campaign of civil resistance to the production and deployment of Trident. The campaign argues that the British government is acting illegally by producing and deploying nuclear weapons. Under international customary and humanitarian law it is illegal for states to use methods of warfare which do not discriminate between combatants and non-combatants. The campaign uses negotiation, public awareness and nonviolent direct action to achieve its aims.

Forthcoming trial: On 24 January, Rosie and Rachel will stand trial at Lancaster Crown Court on charges of Criminal Damage to HMS Vengeance. The trial is expected to last up to two weeks and the defence will use both legal and moral arguments. Expert witnesses will be called to testify about the Trident nuclear weapons system and its legality. Both women are represented by solicitor Gareth Pierce (BN Birnberg & Co., London). During the trial, support, events and actions will be organised by the Aldermaston Women Trash Trident affinity group.

Notes: To receive daily press releases during the trial send your name and fax number or email name to: mailto:awtt@hotmail.com or leave a message on 07808 553778. A comprehensive "awtt Info Pack" is also available.

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