Pictures of the arrests at the Faslane anti Trident protests can be found at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/scotland/newsid_1166000/1166632.stm > BBC News Online, 12th February 2001 > Politicians arrested at nuclear protest > > Politicians were among 373 people arrested during a protest at the home of > Britains's Trident nuclear submarine fleet. > Labour MP George Galloway, Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan and Green Party MEP > Caroline Lucas were arrested during the demonstration at Faslane. > Mr Galloway, the MP for Glasgow Kelvin and Scottish Socialist Party Leader > and Glasgow MSP Mr Sheridan shouted defiance as police removed them from the > protest. > Mr Sheridan served five days of a 14-day jail sentence for non-payment of a > fine in relation to a demonstration last February. > The latest demonstration, which was designed to close the base for the day, > began at 0700GMT and was organised by anti-nuclear weapons group Trident > Ploughshares and Scottish CND. > A number of protesters formed a human chain at the north gate entrance to > the base at Helensburgh and they were cheered on by crowds on either side of > the main gate who waved banners of support. > Before being led away by police, Mr Sheridan, said: "The world is against > nuclear weapons and today proves that the time for talking is over and > demonstrations throughout the world should start against nuclear weapons." > Mr Galloway said: "We are worried about how to pay for care of the elderly > and reducing class sizes in schools. > "However, we are spending millions on weapons of mass destruction that will > never be used." > Some of the estimated 500 demonstrators unfurled banners at the base, > including a red flag and a depiction of a child maimed by nuclear weapons. > Protesters banged on drums, while others chanted slogans. > Police used power tools to cut through tubing which protesters had used to > tie themselves together. > They also had to dismantle the costume of a woman dressed as a silver > nuclear missile before they could arrest her. > A spokesman for Strathclyde Police said 195 women and 178 men were arrested, > mainly on breach of the peace charges. All were the subjects of reports to > the Procurator Fiscal. > Author Alasdair Gray, who joined CND in 1958, called on MSPs to take action > against the presence of nuclear weapons in Scotland. > He said: "Scotland now has her own parliament and hopefully this may lead to > something being done about nuclear weapons." > Mr Sheridan's wife Gail defended her husband's actions and said: "I have > taken the mince out and I will have it ready as he should be home for his > tea. > "I am very proud of him and I know he will continue to protest unless these > evil weapons are taken away from us." > Scottish National Party MSP Linda Fabiani said the demonstration showed the > depth of feeling against nuclear weapons. > A spokeswoman for Faslane said staff were still managing to get into work > despite the protest. > She said: "We knew this was going to happen so we made sure we got people > onto the site before it started. > "We are managing to get people in and out although both entrances are booked > so access is very difficult. > "Non essential staff have been advised to stay at home or work from home." > Faslane is home to the four-strong Trident submarine fleet. Each vessel has > 16 missile tubes and the weapons are said to be accurate to within 100 > yards. > Hundreds have been arrested in previous protests over several years. > Trident Ploughshares predicted that up to 1,000 activists would be present > from countries across Europe. > The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Right > Reverend Andrew McLellan, joined the action and took part in an ecumenical > service at the protest site. > Mr McLellan said: "I am here to demonstrate the Church of Scotland's > long-standing opposition to nuclear weapons in general and Trident in > particular. > "I am very impressed with the atmosphere and both the police and the > protesters have been both cordial and courteous. > "I am not going to be arrested but some of my best friends have been." > The protesters received a message of support from Sir Sean Connery. > > > ------------------------
