Photo by Finlay Hobson
Margaret and Willemien, greeted by name on arrival, locked-on at the North Gate at Faslane HMNB Clyde on January 22 in celebration of the 2nd anniversary of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons coming into force, and to make peaceful protest against the UK government’s continued intention to retain and proliferate Nuclear Weapons of Mass Destruction.
The protest lasted just under five hours in the usual cauld and damp. There were over seven police vans including the cutting crew; two cars, one 4WD; four of the vans full of police; plus 16 assorted officers around us outside the gate, and the usual MOD officers behind the closed gate.
The shift change coach couldn’t get in at the South Gate either to pick up the workers, as they had no key to open it – so it had to go past us at the North Gate to use one of the smaller gates.
The two women were arrested and then de-arrested after a Police conference, when the words “peaceful protest” were used frequently by the Inspector, with the agreement of the MOD Inspector (fitting in with the Scottish government’s stance on opposing nuclear weapons).
And unusually we were able to bring our lock-on accoutrements back with us (quickly scooped into a bag)- to use another time.
Really, the police (and courts) showing they do not share the UK government’s stance that peaceful protests are illegal, and that protestors are terrorists, etc.
Photo by Finlay Hobson