|
|
Fairford in western England was a major focus for nonviolent direct action against the war, resulting in hundreds of arrests. B-52 bombers refueled there and military supplies and hardware regularly moved through. Steadily through the winter, citizen inspectors and thousands of supporters marched on the base. Once the fence was pulled down and scores of people swarmed onto the field beside the runway. Some established a plane-spotting peace camp before the invasion began.
Dr. Margaret Jones and Paul Arthur Milling entered the base March 13 and disabled 30 bomber support vehicles. They were jailed until March 24, and return to Gloucester Crown Court May 23 to face charges of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and aggravated trespass.
On the eve of the invasion, March 18, Phillip Pritchard and Toby Olditch entered the base with the intention of disarming a B-52. They were apprehended fully equipped for the job as they hung photos of Iraqi people labeled "collateral damage?" on the perimeter fence. The men face multiple charges, and await trial in jail.
Another man, Josh Richards, was arrested on March 18 at the Fairford fence and charged with possessing an explosive substance with intent to endanger life and damaging the base fence. He has been released on bond.
Letters of support should be individually addressed and sent
to Phillip Pritchard and Toby Olditch, HMP Gloucester, Barracks
Square, Gloucester GL1 2JN, UK.
