SHOCK AND A.W.E.

This Monday (27th) saw the biggest Blockade at the Aldermaston nuclear weapons site in ten years. Some 350 protesters joined the day of action which saw surrounding roads closed for five hours, and 33 arrested – mostly for obstruction of the highway and public order offences.

Starting at 5.30am, affinity groups carried out separate blockading actions, using lock-ons, arm-tubes and tripods – leaving the police busy cutting and drilling people out all morning. Several people super-glued their hands together forming a human blockade across the road. Others chained themselves to gates or mounted tripods in the road. Nearly all of those arrested were given cautions or fixed penalty notices.

Protesters have highlighted the fact that the UK govt is committing £76 billion to the Trident replacement nuclear missile programme at Aldermaston, when really they should be spending it on healthcare, education etc – no need to even mention the economic crisis...

The risk of radioactive pollution to the local community could also help spur on support against the weapons project. The nearby AWE Burghfield plant experienced difficulties during the floods which could have resulted in radioactive pollution to the local area.

* See also http://blockawe.blogspot.com