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Press Releases & Updates 2002
27th November 2002
"Early Warning Base Part of Trident System" Say Fylingdales Defendants
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On the third day of the York Crown Court trial of two women accused of intent to cause damage at US Fylingdales Ballistic Missile Early Warning Station in Yorkshire, the defendants have been explaining to the jury their commitment to take action against Trident and their choice of Fylingdales as a target for disarmament. Sylvia Boyes, 57, from Keighley in Yorkshire and Olivia Agate, 64, from Skipton were apprehended by MOD police on 28th March this year as they reached the perimeter fence of the base.
Following the conclusion of the Crown case Olivia took the stand. Questioned by Solicitor Advocate Nick Carter she told the court how she had been a long-term supporter of CND but her commitment had been sparked afresh by taking part in a blockade of Faslane naval base in February 2001. She then got to know Sylvia and then went through the process of a two-day workshop to become a Trident Ploughshares pledger. She pointed out all that Trident Ploughshares does to engage the government in dialogue.
She had been aware of Fylingdales but had not realised its relevance to Trident until she saw the US Almanac documentation which revealed that the site would play a part in relaying the order to fire to the nuclear missile submarines, as well as acting as an early warning system. The final spur to act was the speech of Defence Minister Geoff Hoon in March threatening to use Trident on Iraq. As a Trident Ploughshares activist she held herself accountable and that was why she had been open about her intentions when apprehended.
Cross-examining, Prosecutor Helen Gamble asked her why Fylingdales was not highlighted as Trident-related in the Trident Ploughshares Handbook and Olivia explained that the information was recent. The prosecutor put it to her that she had wanted to be arrested to give her the chance to air her views in court. Olivia denied this: the chance to air her views was secondary to the main aim of disarmament.
Then Sylvia, who is representing herself, gave her testimony. The film The War Game, about the aftermath of a nuclear attack, had a huge effect on her and gradually she had discovered the true nature of nuclear weapons and how they had already blighted the lives of many across the globe through mining, testing and accidents. She had engaged in conventional political lobbying but had come to realise that nonviolent direct action, in the tradition of the Suffragettes and the US Civil Rights movement, was essential to social change. Fylingdales was essential to Trident and she would not wait until the four-minute warning was given to do something about it.
Sylvia continues her evidence tomorrow. The trial is now thought likely to last until Friday.
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