(no subject)
It was a mucky, wet morning in Berkshire - but that didn't stop hundreds of people from all over the country converging on the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) facility at Aldermaston. They arrived from all directions, by bus, train, bicycle and on foot. Their mission? - To carry out the world's largest ever inspection of a nuclear weapons factory, following reports that Tony Blair is building a new nuclear weapon.
Read more at http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/
The BtB website* will be updated with some of our own pix etc after we've ll had some sleep.
Next blockade Monday 11 December
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* http://www.blockthebuilders.org.uk/index.php
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and from 'Newbury Weekly'
Massive protest at AWE
Tue, November 28 2006
By Neil Welch/Tanya Haji, Reporters
Email: neil.welch@newburynews.co.uk
Phone: 01635 564601
Anti-nuclear campaigners protested against Government plans to replace Britain's nuclear deterrent
A HUGE anti-nuclear protest took place at Aldermaston’s Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) yesterday (Monday).
Block the Builders, which stages a monthly protest at the base, were joined by Greenpeace activists. Around 400 protesters rallied against the Government’s plans to replace
Trident with a new generation of nuclear weapons. MPs will vote in the Commons on the subject early next year, fuelling speculation that AWE will be used to develop the new nuclear deterrent. Demonstrators attempted to carry out the ‘world’s biggest weapons inspection’, claiming that arms-building facilities are already being constructed at the site.
In particular, they were concerned by AWE’s Orion Laser Project, which they feel could be used to help manufacture weapons. At regular intervals, protestors dressed as UN inspectors would ask police officers at the gates to allow them into the complex. After being denied entry, they pinned notices to the fence stating the replacement of Trident is illegal under international law.
The statement is based on comments made by international lawyer Philippe Sands QC. Mr Sands said that upgrading the deterrent is inconsistent
with Article 6 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which involves a commitment to nuclear disarmament.
Last night, former UN weapons inspector Hans Blix made a speech criticising Tony Blair’s eagerness to replace Trident.
Dr Blix said that the decision makes it harder to stop Iran acquiring a nuclear bomb.
Greenpeace spokeswoman Louise Edge said the protest was an attempt to raise awareness about activity inside AWE.
She said: “We’ve had hundreds of people amassing here today to investigate reports that Tony Blair has given the go-ahead for a new nuclear weapon and that new facilities are being built. “We feel really strongly that this is the wrong way for Britain to go.” Ian Greaves, who described himself as an ‘activist’, said: “We are inspecting the nuclear weapons testing facilities here, demanding to be let in to investigate what they’re doing.”
Ministry of Defence spokesman Steve Partridge said that despite the large attendance, the protests have been peaceful.
“It’s been pretty smooth,” he said. “The sheer numbers involved have caused a few issues with traffic, but
not anything serious.” Mr Partridge confirmed that MOD police made one arrest, that of a 61-year-old woman in suspicion of breaching bail conditions. She has
been remanded in custody and will appear before Reading magistrates today. Thames Valley Police made no arrests, stating the protests were “very peaceful”.
A spokesman for AWE said: “AWE recognises that Greenpeace and other anti-nuclear protestors have a democratic right to demonstrate peacefully and lawfully.”
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