Introduction

Tri-denting It Handbook 3rd Edition (2001) Introduction

This Handbook is for anybody who wants to take part in Trident Ploughshares. It provides detailed information on the agreed structure and ground rules of Trident Ploughshares so that people can decide if this is the kind of campaign they wish to join. It also contains the basic documents that activists will be asked to sign and which form the legal background to our actions.

We need hundreds of committed people willing to take part, so we hope you will find this resource empowering. The Handbook has been written in several sections and each section is printed in a different colour for easy use. You should read all of the Handbook but bear in mind that some of it is essential and some is more for background and reference purposes. For instance, it is essential that you understand the nonviolence and safety guidelines in Part 2.3 but you may not be particularly interested in the inventories of nuclear weapons in Part 6.2. If there is any information that you require that for some reason is not in the Handbook then please contact the Core Group who will try to help you.

The most important document in the Handbook is probably the Pledge to Prevent Nuclear Crime. This is the document that every Trident Ploughshares activist signs. These Pledges are sent to the Prime Minister at regular intervals as new people join in. The Pledge can be found in Part 9.1. It is also useful to use in court to prove your intent and motivation.

The contents of this 3rd edition of the Handbook have been agreed by a Core Group of organisers (see Part 2.1.1) and with feedback from a large number of other people who are noted at the end of each section.

The first two editions of this handbook were written and edited by Angie Zelter who shamelessly copied and borrowed from all of the texts referred to at the end of each section. This edition has been revised by her with the addition of several entirely new parts written by other TP pledgers. These sections are credited accordingly. Where there are whole sections not credited, this is because Angie is wholly responsible. The illustrations, photos and cartoons have been reproduced without the permission of the various artists so as to protect them against any possible conspiracy charges. We hope they will not mind. The front illustration, in particular, was ‘appropriated’ from Emily Johns. The writers and references used are detailed at the end of each section where you will also find some suggestions for further reading where appropriate. Many friends and helpers corrected, edited and helped in various ways. Thanks to all of them. Especial thanks to Joe Button and Rachel Boyd for their design, desktop publishing, editing and printing help.

The responsibility for the contents of the Handbook lies entirely with Angie. She tried to be as accurate as possible but no doubt errors have slipped in and she and the Core Group apologise in advance for them. Please let them know of any errors so they can be corrected in any future editions. We would also like suggestions on improvements or additions.

Many of the books referred to can be borrowed from the Commonweal Collection or they may be purchased from The Friends Book Centre, or from Housmans Bookshop. Trident Ploughshares also have copies of many of the references listed which can be photocopied. The World Court Project can be contacted for any of the ICJ documents. Addresses are in Section 10.1. Some of the references referred to can be found on our website. The complete Handbook can also be downloaded from the website.

Here is a simple summary of the contents of the various sections of the Handbook

  Part 1 is an overview of Trident Ploughshares within the context of 50 years of peace movement activities;
  Part 2 includes the structure and financing of Trident Ploughshares, the ground rules and how to work and support each other in an affinity group;
  Part 3 gives information about the negotiation and dialogue aspects of the work of Trident Ploughshares;
  Part 4 tells the story so far and gives a summary of the disarmament actions up to September 2000;
  Part 5 gives some practical background information with maps and diagrams of Trident, Faslane, Coulport, Aldermaston and Burghfield with some ideas on how to disarm the Trident system;
  Part 6 gives technical information about nuclear weapons inventories, the effects of nuclear weapons and their legal and ethical standing;
  Part 7 is the legal section with a guide to the kinds of charges you may face, how to defend yourselves in court, advice on how to prepare yourselves for imprisonment and current arrest/fine/imprisonment statistics;
  Part 8 contains a summary of the press coverage we have received so far;
  Part 9 contains the various documents, texts and guidelines referred to throughout the Handbook. There will be separate copies of these available for you to fill out when appropriate, which you can get from the office or Core Group. We thought it might be useful for you to have permanent copies in the Handbook, which you can photocopy as you wish;
  Part 10 gives some useful addresses and resources.

This Handbook is a guide only. It is bound to contain mistakes, misinterpretations and omissions. Please bear this in mind and use it as an aid not as an authoritative textbook. We hope you will find it useful.

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