Press Releases & Updates 2000

Marjan Willemsen (22) had been due to appear along with Zoe Weir (28), also from Faslane Peace Camp, in Helensburgh District Court this morning to explain why they had not paid fines for previous anti-Trident actions. Instead of coming to court they entered Faslane naval base by cutting a hole in the perimeter fence, climbed a lighting mast at one of the shipping berths within the base and draped from the mast banners reading: "Trident Subs Threaten The World." After being released from MOD custody at midday they appeared at the afternoon session in the court. Zoe was given another seven days to pay while Marjan was sent straight to prison. No reason was given for the different treatment.

Appearing for their part in the celebrated blockade of Faslane naval base were Clive Fudge from Norwich, Joy Mitchell (66) a retired teacher from Berwick and Marilyn Croser (24), current President of the SRC in Glasgow University. Joy said that Trident was incompatible with God’s love. Clive pointed out that the vagueness in the catch-all charge he faced, breach of the peace, was an infringement of his rights. Marilyn explained that she had acted to prevent crime and Marilyn said "this case should not have come to trial, there should be more arrests and the real criminals should be brought to trial." All three were fined £50 and all indicated that they would not pay. The fine contrasted sharply with the £300 fine dished out to Jane Tallents on Monday this week in the same court, on the same charge and in identical circumstances.

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