Press Releases & Updates 2003

Lynn Bliss, Anna Tzani, Eric Prendergast and Marc Schiemann, went to their local police station where desk staff asked them to wait to see the inspector. Local media were present as the inspector met with the four activists, read the complaint in full and thanked them for bringing it to his attention.

Weapons of mass destruction, which would kill millions of civilians, are illegal. The UK threatens to use such a weapon every day of the year - the British Trident nuclear weapons system based at Faslane, in Scotland.

It is hypocritical to demand that other countries don’t have such weapons when we have had them for years. As citizens we have a duty to do all we can to stop the illegal Trident system.

The same day, Lyn Bliss, a Green Party activist and Trident Ploughshares campaigner appeared at Luton Magistrates court at 10am for non-payment of fines, imposed by Helensburgh District court for breach of the peace, for peacefully blockading at Faslane base in February 2002 and 2003. Lynn initially thought that she would get a 14 day sentence for fines amounting to £290 - but the courts said they were going to send in the bailiffs instead. It is ironic that the courts are keen to ensure the law is obeyed when it comes to paying fines but the police will do nothing to stop the possession of Trident which is clearly illegal by International Law.

Lyn Bliss says, "Even if they eventually send me to prison, it will not stop me protesting to try to make this world a safer place for us, our children and our grandchildren. The UN is insisting that Sadam Hussain dismantles his weapons of mass destruction while it is deemed ok for us to keep ours. It is total hypocrisy".

Trident Ploughshares was established in 1998 to challenge the UK’s illegal and immoral possession and threatened use of nuclear weapons. Trident Ploughshares activists pledge to dismantle the UK’s nuclear arsenal in a peaceful, non-violent, open and accountable manner. By 23rd January there had been 1,803 arrests, 398 trials, 1,711 days spent in prison and £56,490.50 of fines and compensation orders.

Campaigners from Luton will also be supporting the Really Big Blockade, a nonviolent sit down at the gates of Faslane on Tuesday April 22nd. The Really Big Blockade is being jointly organised by British CND, Scottish CND and Trident Ploughshares.

For more information http://www.banthebomb.org/rbb, e-mail: Big_Blockade@hotmail.com

RBB action line: 0845 4588361

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