Press Releases & Updates 2001

She said: "For a long time I have known - not just thought, but known in my heart of hearts that nuclear weapons are the useless, dangerous, paranoid and wasteful product of a society mired in its incapacity to commit to peace. The action in Faslane will be a real contribution to a safe, nuclear-free world and I support it entirely. Let the world listen and learn from this protest. We don’t want nuclear weapons on our soil. Get rid of them."

Campaigners are intrigued that one of Emma Thompson’s roles was as solicitor Gareth Pierce in In the Name of the Father. Three weeks ago Gareth was defence solicitor for Trident Ploughshares activist Sylvia Boyes, when she was acquitted at Manchester Crown on charges of criminal conspiracy after attempting to disarm the Trident submarine Vengeance.

Among those joining activists at Faslane on the 12th will be a group of church leaders, including the Moderator of the Church of Scotland and representatives from a number of denominations. They will be accompanied by 50 ministers of religion from Scotland, many of whom have indicated their willingness to be arrested. Also ready to face arrest are Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) Tommy Sheridan and MEP Caroline Lucas. Other MSPs will be there, including Sandra White,Robin Harper, John McAllion, Bruce Crawford, Dorothy-Grace Elder and Fiona Hyslop, while other parliamentarians have pledged their support. Also coming are writer AL Kennedy and sculptor George Wylie.

A Trident Ploughshares spokesperson said: "The blockade will widen still further the cracks that are showing in public and official complacency about Trident. There is a growing recognition that it is illegal and an acceptance that ordinary citizens have a right and a duty to intervene where they can."

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