Nuclear weapons crime in the UK has been reported to Thames Valley Police.
BBC
Anti-Trident ‘peace scarf’ protest by CND
Anti-Trident demonstrators have circled the Ministry of Defence with a ‘peace scarf’ to protest against the replacement of the UK’s nuclear weapons system.
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Morning Star
Peace-Knits Rally To End Trident Folly
FRIDAY 23RD JAN 2015
March against nuclear subs kicks off key election battle
THOUSANDS of protesters will spectacularly encircle the Ministry of Defence today against a £100 billion renewal of Britain’s nuclear submarines — as scientists warn that the threat of a holocaust is at its highest for decades.
The mass Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) demo will be surrounding the building with a seven mile-long scarf, which has been knitted by thousands of volunteers from around the world as part of their Wrap Up Trident campaign ahead of this year’s general election.
The new government will make a final decision on Trident replacement next year, and CND general secretary Kate Hudson predicted yesterday that it would become a “huge election issue.”
The stakes have been raised ahead of the rally by atomic scientists in Washington DC who on Thursday turned the symbolic Doomsday Clock forward from five to three minutes before “midnight” — not seen since 1984 at the height of the cold war.
Only once, in 1953, has the clock hit two minutes.
The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists blamed a combination of nuclear weapons renewal including Britain’s programme, slowing disarmament and climate change.
Post-cold war “optimism has essentially evaporated in the face of two trends — sweeping nuclear weapons modernisation programmes and a disarmament machinery that has ground to a halt,” said science and security board member Sharon Squassoni.
Campaigners faced a setback this week when MPs voted overwhelmingly to keep Trident renewal on track.
Ms Hudson said Tuesday’s vote betrayed “the gulf between Westminster and the British public.”
Polls last year put the electorate’s opposition to the plans as high as 79 per cent, but just 37 MPs backed the non-binding Scottish National Party motion to scrap the scheme.
Around 250 abstained.
Ms Hudson said: “People are sick of being told there’s no money for public services while seeing billions squandered on a weapon which provides nothing but the illusion of security and simply encourages the vicious circle of nuclear proliferation worldwide.”
Catherine Bann, whose local knitting group in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, contributed pieces of the scarf, said: “I’m glad that we’re taking the scarf to London, demonstrating the creativity of so many people in the face of such wanton destruction.
“The majority of the British public now oppose Trident renewal. Politicians ignored us over Iraq, killing hundreds of thousands of civilians and making the world a more dangerous place.We won’t let them ignore us again.
“There seems to be a media blackout of anti-Trident demonstrations. Maybe by taking it to the seat of power we can change that.”
The demonstration assembles at 12pm outside the MoD, followed by a march at 1.45pm past Parliament to Old Palace Yard.
Source, Morning Star
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The Times:
CND wraps Ministry of Defence in huge scarf
A giant scarf was wrapped around the Ministry of Defence today, part of an anti-nuclear protest calling on the government to “wrap up” the Trident nuclear missile programme.
The pink scarf was knitted by people around the world and stretched around the Ministry of Defence building in central London.
Thousands of people supported the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament’s (CND) protest, which also included a rally outside Parliament.
Read full report at The Times (subscription only).
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Daily Mail Online
Trident rally to wrap MoD in scarf
Published: 06:46 GMT, 24 January 2015 | Updated: 06:46 GMT, 24 January 2015
Thousands of anti-nuclear activists are expected to join a protest against the Trident nuclear missiles, carrying a huge scarf to “wrap up” their message.
The pink-coloured scarf, knitted by people across the world, will encircle the Ministry of Defence building in central London as part of the demonstration today.
CND said it expected thousands of people from across the UK to join the protest and rally opposite Parliament, just days after a debate was held in the Commons on the future of Trident.
Only 37 MPs backed a motion urging the Government to abandon plans to renew Trident, which CND said showed the “gulf” between Westminster and the British public.
CND general secretary Kate Hudson said: ” The motion against Trident replacement was defeated by 364-37 - showing just how many MPs have refused to move on from the Cold War and are even prepared to sacrifice the NHS to maintain a nuclear arsenal.
“If it’s security they want, then it’s illusory, taking a heavy toll both in the UK, as public services are slashed, and abroad, as states around the world are given the incentive to develop their own nuclear weapons systems.
“Over 250 MPs - including Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg - didn’t cast a vote. One undoubted result will be that those re-standing (in the general election) who failed to vote will find themselves under increasing pressure.
“Millions of people around the country oppose this £100 billion monstrosity, and it’s not hard to see why when military figures say Trident’s useless, and when we look at just how transformiative that money could be if spent on the NHS, job creation, renewable energy, housing and education.
“Trident is set to be huge election issue, but if MPs fail to express their opinions on Trident replacement, they can expect to be punished at the ballot box in May.”
:: The Occupy movement said it was planning to stage fresh demonstrations in Parliament today to defend their right to protest.
The protest, which will follow the CND event, is aimed at highlighting the influence corporations have on policies related to wars.
Parliament Square was fenced off after previous Occupy protests.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-2924265/Trident-rally-wrap-MoD-scarf.html
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Trident rally wraps MoD in scarf
Press Association
- Press Association - Protesters hold a scarf during a CND march against Trident nuclear missiles in London
Thousands of anti-nuclear activists have held a protest with a huge scarf to call on the Government to “wrap up” the Trident nuclear missiles programme.
The pink-coloured scarf, knitted by people across the world, encircled the Ministry of Defence building in central London as part of the demonstration today.
Thousands of supporters of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) joined the protest, which also involved a rally opposite Parliament.
The noisy crowd chanted “Wrap up Trident, ban the bomb now” as they unfurled the scarf down Whitehall and along the River Thames.
Many waved placards which read “A&E not WMD”, “Books Not Bombs” and “Climate Not Trident”.
Others carried mock bins of radioactive waste.
CND general secretary Kate Hudson, who led the scarf carriers, believed it was at least two miles long.
“It’s a very good amount of scarf and a very good amount of people,” she said.
Ms Hudson explained that the campaigners wanted to send a message to the current Government as well as the political leaders standing in the general election.
“They should know that scrapping Trident is a vote winner, not a vote loser,” she said.
“The British people will not stand for masses of our taxpayers’ money being spent on nuclear weapons.”
The protest came just days after a debate was held in the Commons on the future of Trident.
Only 37 MPs backed a motion urging the Government to abandon plans to renew Trident, which CND said showed the “gulf” between Westminster and the British public.
Ms Hudson said: “The motion against Trident replacement was defeated by 364-37 - showing just how many MPs have refused to move on from the Cold War and are even prepared to sacrifice the NHS to maintain a nuclear arsenal.
“If it’s security they want, then it’s illusory, taking a heavy toll both in the UK, as public services are slashed, and abroad, as states around the world are given the incentive to develop their own nuclear weapons systems.
“Over 250 MPs - including Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg - didn’t cast a vote. One undoubted result will be that those re-standing (in the general election) who failed to vote will find themselves under increasing pressure.
“Millions of people around the country oppose this £100 billion monstrosity, and it’s not hard to see why when military figures say Trident’s useless, and when we look at just how transformative that money could be if spent on the NHS, job creation, renewable energy, housing and education.
“Trident is set to be a huge election issue, but if MPs fail to express their opinions on Trident replacement, they can expect to be punished at the ballot box in May.”
:: The Occupy movement said it was planning to stage fresh demonstrations at Parliament today to defend their right to protest.
The protest, which will follow the CND event, is aimed at highlighting the influence corporations have on policies related to wars.
Parliament Square was fenced off after previous Occupy protests.
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Let’S Step Up The Pressure On Trident
JAN
2015
Friday 23RD
posted by Morning Star in Features
Putting Britain’s WMD destruction at centre-stage in the run-up to the election is crucial if we’re to force the Labour Party to change its stance, writes KATE HUDSON
ARE you opposed to nuclear weapons?
To indiscriminate weapons of mass destruction?
To a small number of powerful nuclear-armed states having the power to wipe out the world at the press of a button?
To the hypocrisy of the British government buying new nuclear weapons when it is legally required to disarm? To our public services being cut in order to pay for these weapons?
If so it’s time to stand up and be counted. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get rid of Britain’s nuclear weapons.
A decision will be made in early 2016 on whether or not to replace Trident at a cost of over £100 billion, so the time to act is now.
If you take action you won’t be alone.
You’ll be with the overwhelming majority of states who are demanding global disarmament and the many states who are pressing for a global nuclear ban treaty.
You’ll be with the TUC and the many trade unions who call for scrapping Trident and the investment of our money into sustainable jobs and industry — to rebuild our economy and society to meet the needs of the people.
You’ll be with the many faith communities, anti-cuts organisation, the People’s Assembly against Austerity, the anti-poverty groups, the development organisations like War on Want.
In short, you’ll stand with all right-thinking and decent people who want to see Britain as a force for peace and justice in the world, not a nuclear-armed bully.
There are many reasons why the majority are against replacing Trident. The moral and legal arguments are fundamental, and the cost is something affects on us all.
Take the NHS as an example. We are seeing a massive crisis facing hospital accident and emergency departments.
In the week before Christmas just 83.1 per cent of patients were seen within four hours.
These departments need more money.
The government says there isn’t any, but that same week Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announced that the government was to spend an extra quarter of a billion pounds on Trident replacement this year — even though a decision to replace it hasn’t yet been taken. That money should have gone into the NHS.
And that’s in addition to the £2-3bn we spend every year on running the existing Trident system.
So there’s clearly no shortage of money. It’s a question of priorities and what our government chooses to spend money on.
In keeping nuclear weapons, our government is making the wrong choice. It is a choice that robs us of the opportunity to enrich our economy and society in so many different ways — through regeneration of the NHS, or free university education, or a massive social housing programme.
Putting Trident centre-stage in the election campaign is crucial. It is vital that every candidate knows that their position on Trident will affect the votes they get.
Please go to CND’s website and use our online system to lobby all your local candidates, atact.cnduk.org/lobby/candidates.
It won’t take you more than a few moments.
This week Trident has been at the top of the political agenda, right where it should be, thanks to the determined anti-Trident position of the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Green MP Caroline Lucas.
Together they called a debate in Parliament against Trident replacement.
Not surprisingly given the pro-Trident stance of the main parties, the motion was defeated — but there are two lessons we can learn from this. First, MPs have to be brought in line with the popular will — hence the importance of lobbying.
Second, that most Labour MPs didn’t turn up to vote — including Ed Miliband.
Are they keeping their options open? We must step up the pressure on Labour to change.
They may form the next government, and if it’s a minority government they may well be dependent on the support of the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Greens, who have already said that Trident is a red line issue for them.
So one possible scenario, post-election, is that if Labour wants to govern it will have to shift on Trident.
How possible is a Labour shift? The Blair government led the charge in 2007 to get parliamentary approval to begin the concept and design work on Trident replacement.
And despite strong opposition to Trident inside the party, the Labour leadership remains committed to what it quaintly describes as “a minimum credible independent nuclear deterrent.”
But it would be wrong to assume there has been no movement in Labour’s position. Recent policy suggests some room for change — in the event of a Labour government, Trident will be included in the next strategic defence and security review.
That may not sound like much, but in fact the last review, under the coalition government in 2010, just assumed that Trident would be replaced without any examination, even though the same government’s National Security Strategy actually downgraded the threat of state-on-state nuclear attack.
Given the general view that nuclear weapons have no military use whatsoever, a thoroughgoing strategic assessment is an obvious and necessary step.
And a statement from Labour shadow defence minister Vernon Coaker in this week’s debate that “no steel will be cut on a single successor submarine until approval is granted by this sovereign Parliament,” suggests that Labour is committed to a parliamentary vote on Trident.
That’s a positive step away from the behind-closed-doors approach that is so typical on nuclear and military issues.
So you can see that the possibilities and opportunities are there for us.
Now let’s work to deliver on these possibilities through lobbying, campaigning and protesting — tomorrow at Parliament and across the country over the next months.
Now let’s do what it takes to win.
Kate Hudson is general secretary of CND.
The Wrap Up Trident mass demonstration will gather outside the Ministry of Defence, Horseguards Avenue, London at midday tomorrow. A march from Whitehall to Parliament Square will begin at 1pm, concluding with a 2pm rally at Old Palace Yard.
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ITV REPORT
24 January 2015 at 3:52pm
Anti-nuclear activists urge government to ‘wrap up’ Trident
Protesters unfurled a scarf during a march against Trident nuclear missiles. Credit: John Stillwell/PA
Thousands of anti-nuclear activists have held a protest with a huge scarf to call on the Government to “wrap up” the Trident nuclear missiles programme.
The pink-coloured scarf, knitted by people across the world, encircled the Ministry of Defence building in central London as part of the demonstration today.
Protesters chanted “Wrap up Trident, ban the bomb now” as they unfurled the scarf down Whitehall and along the River Thames.
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) General Secretary, Kate Hudson, who led the scarf carriers, believed it was at least two miles long.
The protest came just days after a debate was held in the Commons on the future of Trident.
Only 37 MPs backed a motion urging the Government to abandon plans to renew Trident, which CND said showed the “gulf” between Westminster and the British public.
London Evening Standard
Thousands join anti-Trident protest in central London
Trident protest: activists gathered in Whitehall
Harrogate Advertiser
Trident rally wraps MoD in scarf
Thousands of anti-nuclear activists have held a protest with a huge scarf to call on the Government to “wrap up” the Trident nuclear missiles programme.
The pink-coloured scarf, knitted by people across the world, encircled the Ministry of Defence building in central London as part of the demonstration today.
Thousands of supporters of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) joined the protest, which also involved a rally opposite Parliament.
The noisy crowd chanted “Wrap up Trident, ban the bomb now” as they unfurled the scarf down Whitehall and along the River Thames.
Many waved placards which read “A&E not WMD”, “Books Not Bombs” and “Climate Not Trident”.
Others carried mock bins of radioactive waste.
CND general secretary Kate Hudson, who led the scarf carriers, believed it was at least two miles long.
“It’s a very good amount of scarf and a very good amount of people,” she said.
Ms Hudson explained that the campaigners wanted to send a message to the current Government as well as the political leaders standing in the general election.
“They should know that scrapping Trident is a vote winner, not a vote loser,” she said.
“The British people will not stand for masses of our taxpayers’ money being spent on nuclear weapons.”
The protest came just days after a debate was held in the Commons on the future of Trident.
Only 37 MPs backed a motion urging the Government to abandon plans to renew Trident, which CND said showed the “gulf” between Westminster and the British public.
Ms Hudson said: “The motion against Trident replacement was defeated by 364-37 - showing just how many MPs have refused to move on from the Cold War and are even prepared to sacrifice the NHS to maintain a nuclear arsenal.
“If it’s security they want, then it’s illusory, taking a heavy toll both in the UK, as public services are slashed, and abroad, as states around the world are given the incentive to develop their own nuclear weapons systems.
“Over 250 MPs - including Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg - didn’t cast a vote. One undoubted result will be that those re-standing (in the general election) who failed to vote will find themselves under increasing pressure.
“Millions of people around the country oppose this £100 billion monstrosity, and it’s not hard to see why when military figures say Trident’s useless, and when we look at just how transformative that money could be if spent on the NHS, job creation, renewable energy, housing and education.
“Trident is set to be a huge election issue, but if MPs fail to express their opinions on Trident replacement, they can expect to be punished at the ballot box in May.”
:: The Occupy movement said it was planning to stage fresh demonstrations at Parliament today to defend their right to protest.
The protest, which will follow the CND event, is aimed at highlighting the influence corporations have on policies related to wars.
Parliament Square was fenced off after previous Occupy protests.
Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2015, All Rights Reserved.
http://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/national/trident-rally-wraps-mod-in-scarf-1-7069281
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The Hindu
January 25, 2015 19:59 IST
Scrap Trident nuclear programme, protesters demand
Shouting “Wrap up Trident” and holding up placards reading “Books Not Bombs” and “Climate not Trident” thousands of campaigners took to the streets of central London on January 24 in a novel protest.
‘Peace scarf’
Organised by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Action AWE, the marchers wrapped the Ministry of Defence in a two-mile-long pink “peace scarf” knitted by volunteers from all over the world in protest against government plans to spend £100 billion to upgrade the United Kingdom’s Trident nuclear sea-based weapons system based near Glasgow in Scotland.
On January 20th, a parliamentary vote saw an overwhelming endorsement for the upgrade, with only 37 Members of Parliament voting to not renew the Trident programme, and 364 voting for it. However, 250 MPS — including Labour leader Ed Miliband — abstained from voting.
The “Wrap up Trident” demonstration sought to raise awareness over an issue on which there has been little public debate in recent years — the last big anti-Trident protest was in 2007 — to ensure its inclusion in the election agendas of political parties in the May 2015 general elections.
Calling the Trident missile system a “Cold War relic” and an “anachronism in the 21st century,” the CND’s General Secretary Kate Hudson underscored the costs of its upkeep that she said are “spiralling out of control.” “Trident is set to be a huge election issue. People are sick of being told there’s no money for public services while seeing billions squandered on a weapon which provides nothing but the illusion of security and simply encourages the vicious circle of nuclear proliferation worldwide,” Ms .Hudson said.
NHS funding gap
She contrasted the £2 billion funding gap the National Health Service is facing with the £3 billion spent on running the Trident system in the same period. “This is a crisis of priorities and nothing else — and all MPs standing for election should take stock of the public mood or pay the price at the ballot box,” she said.
Rebecca Johnson of Action AWE recalled that Britain was one of 157 nations in Vienna in December 2014 to discuss the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons. “Scrapping Trident will increase our security, save our money, and enable the U.K. to join multilateral negotiations on an international nuclear ban treaty,” she said.
The protest comes soon after another grim warning was sounded by the Bulletin of Atomic Science and Security Board, which on January 22 in Washington DC cited unchecked climate change and global nuclear weapons proliferation to move the hands of the historic Doomsday Clock forward by two minutes to stand at three minutes to midnight or “doomsday”, the first such adjustment in three years.
The Board said that “world leaders have failed to act with the speed or on the scale required to protect citizens from potential catastrophe,” thereby allowing a situation that will “endanger every person on Earth.”
The case for the Trident missile system is based on the argument that a minimum nuclear deterrent is needed to counter what is perceived as the continuing security threat to Britain from hostile states, and non-state actors.
Further, the nuclear defence industry is a major employer. In the recent Scottish referendum, the dismantling of Trident was a key promise of the Scottish National Party and the pro-Independence group. The real fear of job losses if an independent Scotland scrapped Trident worked to the advantage of the “No” campaign.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/scrap-trident-nuclear-programme-protesters-demand/article6821268.ece
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