Tables turned on UK weapons of mass destruction

Seven Christians have this morning disrupted production of Britain’s nuclear arsenal with a blockade of Burghfield Atomic Weapons Establishment. This followed an ecumenical vigil for peace held yesterday, Palm Sunday, at the nearby Aldermaston facility.

Arriving at 6:30am, they chained their hands together and lay in the gateway preventing vehicles entering the base. Having travelled from across the country, they were also among those who processed and prayed around the perimeter of AWE Aldermaston yesterday to mark Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

The prayer vigil and blockade are inspired by the events of Holy Week, when Jesus turned over tables in the temple, confronting the political and military powers of his day. The timing is significant in both the church and political calendar. Those gathered are calling on the church to enter Holy Week remembering and repenting the sin of the nuclear weapons industry. As parliament dissolves today in preparation for the general election they hope MPs will return to their constituencies accompanied by the message that trident renewal is a vote loser.

Jo Frew, 35, involved in both the vigil and blockade said “Nuclear weapons are a threat to everything I believe in: peace, justice, and the wellbeing of creation. We see in Jesus’ actions a clear imperative that faith compels us to act. That is why we are here today to call for an end to the atomic weapons industry and for trident not to be replaced.”

For further information contact: James 07814789337 / Ian 07766000271

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @putdownthesword

Notes:

1. The vigil and blockade were organised by an informal network of Christians from different denominations.
2. The event was organised as part of the Action AWE Month of Action, drawing attention to the issue of nuclear disarmament before the general election. Action AWE is a grassroots campaign dedicated to halting nuclear armaments production at AWE Burghfield and Aldermaston. Action AWE is committed to active non-violence and includes people of all faiths and none. For more information: www.actionawe.org
3. Running the Trident nuclear weapons system currently costs £2 billion a year and has not seen any of the cutbacks facing other government spending and public services. The government will vote in 2016 to decide whether to invest in the UK’s Trident nuclear weapon system for another 30 years. The total spending on Weapons of Mass Destruction in the UK will soar to over £100bn should the government take the decision to renew Trident. Trident is not an “independent” system, but is dependent on technical support from the US.