Press Releases & Updates 2003

Big Blockade website, Photographs, http://www.indymedia.org.uk

Update Wednesday pm: All activists have now been released from police custody. Several activists who are not resident in the UK appeared in court for plea hearings and had trial dates set for later this year.

The total number of arrests for the action is 166, including 7 arrested inside Faslane, after three seperate breaches of security during the afternoon and evening.

Thanks to everyone who made the event such a success!

Update 11:45pm: A second group of activists have been arrested inside the high security nuclear submarine base, bringing the total number of arrests to 166.

It brings to an end a colourful, peaceful and defiant day of action against Britain’s nuclear weapon system.

Press Release 6:00pm: Really Big Blockade

Update 5:25pm: The blockade has now finished, after disrupting the whole working day of the base.

Three activists have been arrested inside the base, close to the Trident nuclear submarine berths. Their action has caused further disruption to the working of the base, as police carry out a thorough search of the base.

There have been over 160 arrests so far for breach of the peace.

The North Gate was closed by activists for over 8 hours, and the smaller South Gate was closed by activists for over 5 hours.

Other entrances to the base remained closed all day.

Update 3:40pm: North Gate blocked for over eight hours. The gate is open, but traffic is still blocked by one group of activists locked together.

So far at least 160 arrests have been made for breach of the peace.

Update 2:30pm: North Gate blocked for seven hours, and still going strong...

So far at least 125 arrests have been made for breach of the peace.

Two Church of Scotland Ministers have been arrested.

Police may have run out of minibuses to take people to the police stations.

The smaller South Gate blockade was removed after 5 hours, with at least 35 arrests.

Update 1:20pm: North Gate blocked for six hours, and still going strong...

The smaller South Gate blockade has been cleared by police, with at least 10 arrests.

So far at least 50 arrests in total.

Photographs: Blockade photographs now online

Update 12:15pm: all gates blocked for five hours, and still going strong.

Over 400 activists present at the blockade, from Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Belgium, France.

So far at least 40 arrests.

Update 11:15am: all gates still blocked

Police bringing in cutting gear to remove activists from lock-ons.

Press Release 10:45am: Really Big Blockade

Update 10:15am: all gates still blocked

South Gate was cleared for a while, but 30 people from the second wave are currently blocking the approach road to the South Gate.

Bruce Kent (former chair of Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) has been arrested.

Arrests so far- 19 men and 10 women.

Update 7:30am: all gates to the base have been shut

Activists are currently blocking the main North and South gates, as well as all three of the smaller entrances to the base.

Update 7am: The blockade has started

North Gate and South Gate both blocked by activists.

Visit the http://www.banthebomb.org/rbb

The Glasgow venue for anyone wanting to stay overnight before and after the Big Blockade is now open and is filling up with people. Large numbers of people from Sweden, Finland, Ireland and Belgium are expected over the weekend along with folk from all over the UK - all coming to close down Faslane on Tuesday!

The ’Warehouse’ social centre will sleep 500 people easily and a hardworking team of 15 volunteers have been working all week to tidy up and to set up the communal kitchen, legal and media offices and workshop spaces. There’ll be a party there on Saturday night to welcome people coming from overseas for the Blockade and workshops on Saturday and Sunday.

The Warehouse is at 100 Eastvale Place, at the end of Kelvinhaugh Street. Nearest train stations are either Partick or the Exhibition Centre and there are some signs showing the way to the Warehouse.

MSP’s coming to the blockade include Tommy Sheriden, Lloyd Quinan, Robin Harper, Linda Fabiani, John McAllion, Fiona McLeod and Gil Paterson with a few of them coming to risk arrest by sitting in front of the gates.

The Blockade is being organised in a series of ’waves’ with the first wave timed to arrive at Faslane at 7am. Buses will leave George Square to get to Faslane for each wave and if anyone wants to get a bus out to Faslane they must book a seat as soon as possible so we can hire extra coaches if we need to. Phone the Big Blockade Action

Line on 0845 458 8361 to book a seat.

The bus times are:

  First wave leaving from George Square and from outside the Warehouse at 5.30. This bus will also stop at the Botanic Gardens near the end of Byres Road at about 5.40.

  Second wave (leaving from George Square only) will leave at 9.00 (to arrive at Faslane for 10.30)

  Third wave (leaving from George Square only) will leave at 12.30 (arriving at 2.00)

We’re having to charge a small fee for the bus (£3.00) but you can pay when you get on the bus.

Alternatively you can get a Low Level train out to Helensburgh Central to meet the buses at the Helensburgh Pier carpark at 6.30, 10.00 or 1.30. Or if you phone the action line on 0845 458 8361 we’ll arrange a minibus to come and collect you from the station.

On the Monday before the blockade there will be a series of meetings in the Warehouse for people interested in helping out with support work for the blockade and nonviolent action training. There will be the usual last minute briefing / gathering at 7pm and everyone is encouraged to come along to that to find out what is happening.

The schedule of workshops and meetings on Monday are:

  2pm - Blockade support team meeting (for anyone wanting to help with the Blockade)
  2pm Nonviolent action training
  4pm - Peacemakers meeting
  7pm - The Really Big, Big Blockade Briefing
  8.30 - Nonviolent action training

There’ll also be plenty of opportunities for people to use the Warehouse to paint banners, make lock-on tubes (we have lots of tubes for people to use) and create props and musical instruments from today - just come along!

For any more details contact the Action line: 0845 458 8361, email big_blockade@hotmail.com or visit Big Blockade Website

See you there

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