Nuclear weapons crime in the UK has been reported to Thames Valley Police.
A 120-metre long pink scarf knitted by opponents of nuclear weapons was today unfurled through the centre of the Welsh border town of Knighton (Tref-y-clawdd). It dominat
ed the town centre, with the unfurling procession led by a town crier, who was joined by the Teme Valley Ceilidh Band, hand-bell ringers, the Pales Peace Choir and a huge Welsh Red Dragon.
The scarf, knitted by around 80 people form the local area, will now go on to form the central part of a seven-mile scarf knitted by critics of nuclear arms from around the world.
Knighton is important to the project, as the whole idea was the brainchild of Knighton resident Angie Zelter.
The display is the knitters’ way of showing solidarity with the millions who fear the consequences if nuclear weapons are used in warfare or by accident. They are calling on the UK government not to renew the Trident nuclear weapons system. They also want to see the UK join the vast majority of countries now supporting an international treaty to ban all nuclear weapons.
The knitters are calling on local candidates for next year’s general election to commit themselves to voting ag
ainst Trident renewal.
The scarf, which is 60 centimetres wide, stretched all the way from Knighton Clock Tower to the town’s Cenotaph. Many local residents, in town for shopping and a children’s art display, offered their support to the knitters.
The Wool Against Weapons initiative is backed by Action AWE and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. The seven-mile version of the scarf will be unfurled along the route between the two parts of the Atomic Weapons Establishment in Berkshire on 9 August, the anniversary of the Nagasaki bombing. Knighton’s section will be in the middle.
Knighton resident Angie Zelter, co-founder of Action AWE and Wool Against Weapons, said:
“It is wonderful to see so many local people joining in our colourful and creative protest. It is a wake-up call to our government to disarm Trident and play a positive role in global disarmament rather than renewing Trident, which only endangers us all by encouraging more countries to get nuclear weapons.”
Knighton resident K
aren Plant said:
“This protest has been fun but it has a serious message, namely the scrapping of Trident, Britain’s nuclear weapons programme and the plans for a future replacement. Nuclear weapons can never be used again. They are immoral and have the potential to kill millions of people.”
ENDS
Notes
1.Action AWE is a grassroots campaign of nonviolent actions dedicated to halting nuclear weapons production at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), which is located at Aldermaston and Burghfield in Berkshire. Action AWE is committed to active nonviolence. It includes people of several religions and none.
2.The photographs on this page may be used if credited to Action AWE. Other photographs are available to media on request.
3.On 9 August 2014, the anniversary of the nuclear bombing of Nagasaki, a seven-mile scarf knitted by people from across the world will be unfurled between the two bases of the Atomic Weapons Establishment: Aldermaston and Burghfield, in Berkshire.
