On Monday I returned to Faslane in Scotland to take part in the Big Blockade – the peaceful blockade of the trident base that blots the landscape in this beautiful part of the world.
I said back in January that I was there to reaffirm Plaid Cymru’s commitment to nuclear disarmament and the party’s opposition to these illegal and immoral weapons of mass destruction. That commitment is a strong as ever, and once again I was taking part in the blockade to reflect the views of the majority of people in Wales who oppose and have protested against Trident.
Here’s what the press had to say about the Big Blockade on Monday 1st October:
Daily Post: MEP in Trident protest
Oct 1 2007 by Hywel Trewyn
WELSH MEP Jill Evans will be taking part in a blockade at the gates of the British nuclear weapons base at Faslane, Scotland today.
In January, the Plaid Cymru deputy president was arrested at the gates but will be returning today to mark a year of non-violent blockading of the nuclear submarine base, 30 miles west of Glasgow.
Speaking last night, Ms Evans said: “I said in January that we were here to reaffirm Plaid Cymru’s commitment to nuclear disarmament and the party’s opposition to these illegal and immoral weapons of mass destruction.
“That commitment is a strong as ever, and once again I am taking part in the blockade to reflect the views of the majority of people in Wales.”
Guardian: Year-long nuclear base protest ends
Monday October 1, 2007 6:28 AM
Hundreds of campaigners are expected to take part in the culmination of a year-long anti-nuclear blockade of a submarine base.
MSPs, MEPs and politicians from across the country are expected for the demonstration at the Faslane Naval Base on the Clyde, home to the fleet of Trident nuclear submarines.
Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond is among those to have backed the event, and several SNP politicians are expected to take part.
The year-long campaign of protests, dubbed Faslane 365, has involved people from across the UK, as well as Japan, France, Germany and Belgium who are opposed to the deployment and renewal of the system.
The campaign has led to more than 940 arrests and a recent report showed the cost of policing the base has exceeded £5 million.
Glasgow SNP MSP Sandra White will be among the protesters at Monday’s ‘Big Blockade’.
She said: “I congratulate all those who have taken part in the Faslane365 campaign this past year and been arrested for blockading the base.
“This is the most important event in the Scottish calendar this year because we can no longer afford both morally and financially to have these weapons of mass destruction on our shores.”
Jill Evans MEP, Plaid Cymru deputy president, voiced her support for the protest during her party’s conference last week.
And Scottish Green Party co-leader Robin Harper MSP said: “The use, the threat of use, and the planned replacement of Trident are all illegal. We should take a lead in fighting the wars of this century – the war against poverty, injustice and environmental destruction – not spend £25bn on weapons of mass destruction aimed at civilians.”
Glasgow Evening Times: 114 held at Faslane as year-long protest ends
MORE THAN 100 anti-nuclear protesters were arrested today as they marked the end of a year-long campaign at the Clydeside submarine base.
An estimated 500 demonstrators gathered outside Faslane naval base, home of the UK’s Trident fleet of nuclear subs, early today.
Many started blockading the main entrance by gluing themselves to the road outside or chaining themselves to the perimeter fence.
Police moved in quickly to start removing the demonstrators, making 114 arrests.
Witnesses spoke of a “continuous” stream of people being carried off by teams of officers.
The protesters were marking the end of Faslane 365, a year-long campaign against the hosting of the Trident fleet in Scotland.
It has led to more than 940 arrests and a recent report showed the cost of policing the base has exceeded £5million.
Organisers of today’s action vowed to mark the occasion through “colourful, creative and dramatic actions” at the base.
Coachloads of people began to arrive shortly before 7am, to be greeted by a large police presence.
Protesters blocked access entrance to the main gate by lying on the ground with their arms linked by tubes.
Police used special cutting equipment to free them, before arresting them.
Other protesters blocked the base’s other entrance, as well as the A814 to Garelochhead.
Politicians from across the country, including MSPs and MEPs, also attended today’s Big Blockade’.
Scottish Green Party co-leader Robin Harper MSP was among the first to arrive at Faslane today.
He said: “There is a continuous stream of people being carried away, but more are replacing them.
“The use, the threat of use, and the planned replacement of Trident are all illegal.
“We should take a lead in fighting the wars of this century – the war against poverty, injustice and environmental destruction – not spend £25 billion on weapons of mass destruction aimed at civilians.
“Trident is not wanted by UK citizens and I support this protest.”
Glasgow SNP MSP Sandra White said: “I congratulate all those who have taken part in the Faslane 365 campaign this past year and been arrested for blockading the base.
“We can no longer afford both morally and financially to have these weapons of mass destruction on our shores.”
Police urged motorists to avoid the area around the base while the protest lasts.
A spokesman for Faslane said the protests had not had an effect on the main operations or people inside the base.
He added: “It’s unfortunate that the protests have had an impact on the local community.”
The Herald: Over 170 arrested at Scottish base
Link: www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.1726201.0.0.php
