 |
|
|
Press Releases & Updates 2001
5th April 2001
Dramatic Banner-Drop in Scottish Parliament
Campaigners Put Trident on Holyrood Agenda
|
Today, during a crowded First Minister’s question time at the Scottish
Parliament, Trident Ploughshares campaigners dramatically interrupted
normal business by dropping a banner and demanding that the Parliament face
up to the Trident question.
The 12 activists, including all of the Trident Three, draped from the
public gallery a banner which read: "COMPASSION, INTEGRITY ,WISDOM = NO
TRIDENT. WHERE’S THE JUSTICE?" quoting the words on the Parliament mace.
Some of the activists shouted out: "The people of Scotland want rid of
Trident. What will you do about it?" Others tied themselves to the barrier
at the front of the public gallery. Their action drew applause from some
members of the Parliament and held up business for about 15 minutes before
they were removed by police and taken to an Edinburgh police station, apart
from one who was released immediately.
Campaigners are incensed at what they see as the supine failure of the
Scottish High Court to challenge the illegality of Trident in responding to
the Lord Advocate’s Reference on the trial of the Trident Three.
One of the activists, Barbara McGregor (33), an artist and warehouse worker
from Glasgow, said: "As a Scot I am horrified that our highest court has
said that threatening mass murder is OK. It’s now up to Parliament and the
Scottish people as a whole to show its revulsion for a state that practices
terrorism and a dodgy legal system that backs it up."
The activists were Elinor Mackenzie, Barbara McGregor, Jane Tallents, Joy
Mitchell, Brian Quail, Marjan Willemsen, Ellen Moxley, Ulla Roder, Angie
Zelter, Leesa French, Morag Balfour and Maire-Colette Wilkie. Ellen was not
arrested. The others were held by the police until the evening when all but
one were released and bailed to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. Brian
was held overnight to appear in a Glasgow Court since there was an
outstanding warrant against him.
People will gather at the north gate of the Faslane naval base, home to the
Trident submarine fleet, this Saturday at 11 a.m., to restate the case
against Trident and to continue the work of direct disarmament.
[Update: Brian was tranferred to Glasgow to appear in the District Court
for an unpaid fine and has been sent to prison until Monday. The Magistrate
was awful and Alex Cochrane was arrested with Contempt of Court for saying so!]
| |
| Search the Website |
|
|
 |
|
Trident Ploughshares,
0845 45 88 366
Email addresses:
Printer friendly version
Home