Press Releases & Updates 2001

Sylvia Boyes (57), a peace campaigner from Keighley in Yorkshire and River, an Open University tutor from Manchester, are facing charges of conspiring to commit criminal damage after their attempt in November 1999 to decommission the Trident submarine Vengeance.

Professor Rogers of the Department of Peace Studies at Bradford University, an expert witness for the defence, said there was evidence that Trident had been specifically deployed as a threat in recent conflicts. Even in its so-called "sub-strategic" role the destructive power of one warhead would cause massive "collateral" damage. The distinction between strategic and sub-strategic role would be lost on a targeted nuclear weapon state, which would in any case retaliate with nuclear weapons.

Angie Zelter, founder of Trident Ploughshares and a member of the Trident Three, gave evidence as to River’s state of mind. She explained the Trident Ploughshares approach - safe, open accountable and nonviolent direct disarmament. Actions taken by Trident Ploughshares members were not to gain publicity - they were genuine attempts to disarm Trident. It was however important that these actions and their results were accurately reported in the media since it was essential that the people as a whole knew what was going on. Trident Ploughshares actions were not running counter to the democratic process but were strengthening it.

A Trident Ploughshares spokesperson said:

"It has been a good day. We had two very strong and authoritative witnesses and River, who is representing himself, was excellent in leading them."

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