On Monday 27th June, the London Catholic Worker joined other faith groups and individuals at the Atomic Weapons Establishment sight in Burghfield, near Reading. The day was named No Faith in Trident and was part of the Trident Ploughshare month of Action in June.
Throughout the month of June demonstrations have been carried out at AWE Burghfield, around the factory where the United Kingdoms weapons of mass destruction are constructed. Various groups have carried out direct actions around the base in protest at this countries policy of mutually assured destruction and to increase pressure on our politicians this year as the Government decides whether to replace Trident or instead to proceed without this genocidal capacity and to invest our funds elsewhere instead.
At approximately 06:30 on Monday morning 3 groups blockaded the 3 entrances of AWE Burghfield using a combination of lock-on tubes and super glue. Put Down the Sword blockaded the North entrance to the Mearings (the road leading to the front entrance of the bomb factory), the London Catholic Workers blockaded the South entrance to the Mearings and a group of Quakers blockaded the Construction Gate (where materials are delivered to build preparations for the replacement to Trident, which has officially not been decided on yet).
For over an hour the entire site of the bomb factory was inaccessible to vehicles. The Southern entrance of the Mearings was cleared first. The police cut the blockaders out and removed them with no arrests. Following this the north entrance to the Mearings was cleared, 5 members of PDTS were arrested and then charged with obstruction of the highway. After over 6 hours the construction gate was cleared resulting in 3 arrests under military by-laws.
All 8 arrestees were released that evening and wait to see if the Crown Prosecution Service will require them to stand trial or drop the charges. Throughout the day, in addition to supporters present at each blockade site a vigil was held on the grass verge next to the north Mearings entrance. Over 50 people gathered in support of those blockading and in opposition to the work of the factory. We were led in prayer, songs, workshops and reflections by the Fellowship of Reconciliation, Christian CND, Pax Christi, Quakers, Anglican Peace Fellowship, Christian Peacemaker Teams, Wake Up and the London Catholic Workers.
Thank you to all our supporters, including the Catholic Worker Farm, Green and Black Cross and the Quakers of Reading for taking such good care of us. The final day of the June action is Thursday 30th June, starting at 7am. We are encouraged to wear red to tie in the threat of Climate Change to the threat of Nuclear Weapons, and the waste of money, time and imagination involved when Climate Change mitigation and adaptation must be a new priority.