Press Releases & Updates 2001

Over 160 people were arrested at the nuclear submarine base as 1,000 protesters shut down the main gates for over five hours early today.

Organisers vowed to return to Faslane in February 2002 in an intensifying campaign. But they challenged the police decision today to ignore the criticism of mass arrests in a court decision earlier this month, when Tommy Sheridan MSP was acquitted of a breach of the peace.

David Mackenzie, of Trident Ploughshares and Scottish CND, said: "To have these numbers shutting down the Trident base on a wet Monday morning shows the determination of protesters to keep going until this obscene weapon is banned.

"We are keeping up the momentum with an intensifying programme of actions including a further blockade at Faslane in February 2002.

"It is a real pity that Strathclyde police today continued their discredited policy of mass arrests. Tommy Sheridan was arrested today for doing exactly the same thing for which he was acquitted in court just two weeks ago, when the magistrate questioned the mass arrest policy.

"This yet again illustrates the mess the police and the courts are in over how they respond to peaceful acts of conscience by people exercising their democratic rights.

"In spite of the seriousness of our message and the work we are engaged in, this protest today celebrated life in an amazingly enjoyable and hopeful atmosphere."

Printer friendly version

Home | Top