first arrest
Hello to all avid fans of my blogularisms
Monday the first of October was the Big Blockade at Faslane Nuclear base. We were supposed to meet on Sunday in Glasgow for training and such. I was going to play a support role...as it's what I always seem to do..and anyway I enjoy the hasseling of piggies and photo taking. But gradually as the training took place I realised that all my excuses had sort of ran out, and we needed bodies. So I volunteered to be an arrestible. Do not regret it in the least. I met some lovely people, and a few fantastic ones even.
After communal toothpaste and toothbrush sesh with Rachel, I couldn't fall asleep. So after barely any sleep..as always..we all ended up in the bus to faslane (yay!). I didn't get the adrenalin rush I expected.. We got there and confusion seemed to overwhelm. Ran out, locked on to Hannah from Dundee and linked arms with Jenny. Lying on the cold tar, with one arm in a long tube...fingers stuck in a complicated confusion of carrabena and rope...leg entertwined with Jenny's.. I looked up at the gate...and then to all the people standing, smiling or indicating to shuffle down..I felt happy.
I was dissapointed to an extent, as we didn't blockade very sucessfully. They managed to lift some of us up so fast. They picked Hannah and I up, and it wasn't the most comfortable experience. I was raging when they started pulling Hannah's arm out of the lock on. Not only did it feel like my limb was being ripped out ...but I also wanted them to have to cut the whole thing. and I liked that mask! very cool.
Hannah and I started singing Hakuna Matata. Very out of tune. Ah it was fabulous. The coppers weren't impressed especially the one who's legs I wriggled through..who told me I was a "silly girl" and when I asked if "silly girl" was code word for something more interesting he didn't even smile. goodness.
The ride to the little caravan arrest station was fun. Lots of heavy discomfort flirting. Which is always best...especially when the cops are young and trying to prove themselves and you ask if you can piss in their hats, and ask them to stop hitting on you.
I had to tell the arresting cop how to arrest me. it was funny. ended up in a van with the singing North gate women. They were hilarious. After the hour ride to the prison..we had to wait an hour in front of the gate.
Finally in...didn't even get fingerprinted. but did have to explain the word vegan about twenty million times. They lost my glove.
Opened the cell. Which...was just cement. and PINK. I know its not that aweful but seriously...pink.
In my little sheltered life of rich kids with drivers, I had never seen a cell. I don't know what I was expecting really. The bed was a cement filling in the shape of a bed haha. there was enough room for three gym mats and a smelly toilet. Both women were.... older. Nice but I didn't have anything in common with them. The older one was amazing, been getting arrested since the sixties. Used to live in Hiroshima.
I was only in there for about 9hours. But it still wasn't much fun...especially with the blaring light, no knowledge of the time....but worst of all..not being able to see the sky. "The patch of blue prisoners call the sky"-Oscar Wilde... the sentence spun through my head like a madman.
After about 7hours I thought madness was possible...I was happy those women were there though. I just counted cracks and translated words in my head.
When we got out I was extremly happy. The sky! it's beautiful! People! Magnificent!
I was thrilled to find out there had been 171 arrests. Amazing.
I would never WANT to get arrested, but I would never not stand up for my beliefs. I feel ridiculous even complaining about this a teeny bit when there are situations in the world like the one in Burma.
Still can't believe Sam has been arrested 18 times. I admire his...semi... sanity. but more his passion.
I heard that only 20 percent of people in Britain would ever protest for what they believe in. Frightening. I will never understand that.
One cop said "but trident is there, you just have to accept it. stop being so stubborn"
It is stubborness that has acheived some of the best results. and I will never...never accept certain things. Never.
Congratulations to all who got arrested, who took photos, who made tea, who drove. Everyone did so well.
All in all. Im a very happy hip........ oh god I nearly said it! no no. Im a happy HAPPY Gigja. that's what I am.
Pace
Love to all!
Monday the first of October was the Big Blockade at Faslane Nuclear base. We were supposed to meet on Sunday in Glasgow for training and such. I was going to play a support role...as it's what I always seem to do..and anyway I enjoy the hasseling of piggies and photo taking. But gradually as the training took place I realised that all my excuses had sort of ran out, and we needed bodies. So I volunteered to be an arrestible. Do not regret it in the least. I met some lovely people, and a few fantastic ones even.
After communal toothpaste and toothbrush sesh with Rachel, I couldn't fall asleep. So after barely any sleep..as always..we all ended up in the bus to faslane (yay!). I didn't get the adrenalin rush I expected.. We got there and confusion seemed to overwhelm. Ran out, locked on to Hannah from Dundee and linked arms with Jenny. Lying on the cold tar, with one arm in a long tube...fingers stuck in a complicated confusion of carrabena and rope...leg entertwined with Jenny's.. I looked up at the gate...and then to all the people standing, smiling or indicating to shuffle down..I felt happy.
I was dissapointed to an extent, as we didn't blockade very sucessfully. They managed to lift some of us up so fast. They picked Hannah and I up, and it wasn't the most comfortable experience. I was raging when they started pulling Hannah's arm out of the lock on. Not only did it feel like my limb was being ripped out ...but I also wanted them to have to cut the whole thing. and I liked that mask! very cool.
Hannah and I started singing Hakuna Matata. Very out of tune. Ah it was fabulous. The coppers weren't impressed especially the one who's legs I wriggled through..who told me I was a "silly girl" and when I asked if "silly girl" was code word for something more interesting he didn't even smile. goodness.
The ride to the little caravan arrest station was fun. Lots of heavy discomfort flirting. Which is always best...especially when the cops are young and trying to prove themselves and you ask if you can piss in their hats, and ask them to stop hitting on you.
I had to tell the arresting cop how to arrest me. it was funny. ended up in a van with the singing North gate women. They were hilarious. After the hour ride to the prison..we had to wait an hour in front of the gate.
Finally in...didn't even get fingerprinted. but did have to explain the word vegan about twenty million times. They lost my glove.
Opened the cell. Which...was just cement. and PINK. I know its not that aweful but seriously...pink.
In my little sheltered life of rich kids with drivers, I had never seen a cell. I don't know what I was expecting really. The bed was a cement filling in the shape of a bed haha. there was enough room for three gym mats and a smelly toilet. Both women were.... older. Nice but I didn't have anything in common with them. The older one was amazing, been getting arrested since the sixties. Used to live in Hiroshima.
I was only in there for about 9hours. But it still wasn't much fun...especially with the blaring light, no knowledge of the time....but worst of all..not being able to see the sky. "The patch of blue prisoners call the sky"-Oscar Wilde... the sentence spun through my head like a madman.
After about 7hours I thought madness was possible...I was happy those women were there though. I just counted cracks and translated words in my head.
When we got out I was extremly happy. The sky! it's beautiful! People! Magnificent!
I was thrilled to find out there had been 171 arrests. Amazing.
I would never WANT to get arrested, but I would never not stand up for my beliefs. I feel ridiculous even complaining about this a teeny bit when there are situations in the world like the one in Burma.
Still can't believe Sam has been arrested 18 times. I admire his...semi... sanity. but more his passion.
I heard that only 20 percent of people in Britain would ever protest for what they believe in. Frightening. I will never understand that.
One cop said "but trident is there, you just have to accept it. stop being so stubborn"
It is stubborness that has acheived some of the best results. and I will never...never accept certain things. Never.
Congratulations to all who got arrested, who took photos, who made tea, who drove. Everyone did so well.
All in all. Im a very happy hip........ oh god I nearly said it! no no. Im a happy HAPPY Gigja. that's what I am.
Pace
Love to all!