Photographs available
A seven-mile scarf knitted by over 5,000 people from around Britain and beyond has been rolled out between the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) sites at Aldermaston and Burghfield in Berkshire. The knitters are calling on Parliament not to replace the Trident nuclear weapons system when the decision comes up in 2016.
The event is the latest demonstration against Trident at the AWE, the site of increasingly frequent protests as the general election approaches in May 2015. Critics contrast the £100bn cost of replacing Trident with the heavy cuts to public services and social security.
The sections of the scarf, which have been displayed individually in towns around the UK, were linked together for the seven mile stretch at 1pm today (Saturday 9 August). The date was chosen as the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945.
Activists holding up the scarf along the seven miles route observed two minutes’ silence for the victims of nuclear weapons.
The knitters include people from all parts of the UK, as well as Kenya, South Africa, France, Austria, parts of South America and elsewhere.
The Wool Against Weapons initiative is organised by Action AWE and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) along with activist Jaine Rose.
CND’s General Secretary, Kate Hudson said:
‘It is a disgrace that this government is prepared to squander over £100bn on a monstrous Cold War weapons system, while it slashes funding for health, education and other public services.
‘The British public is increasingly fed up with being told there’s no money left while exorbitant sums are earmarked for nuclear weapons.
‘With a Parliamentary vote on whether or not to replace Trident due in 2016, grassroots actions like the Wool Against Weapons initiative are becoming more frequent: representing the majority of the British public who reject this phenomenal and immoral waste of taxpayers’ money.’
Angie Zelter, co-founder of Action AWE, said:
‘This is just the start of people’s mobilisation. People have to act because the government won’t disarm without people in their thousands taking to the streets. Many who have been knitting this scarf are now preparing to join the month of action at AWE in March, weeks before a general election that could determine the future of Trident.’
ENDS
Notes
1. Parliament will make a decision on replacing the Trident nuclear weapons system in 2016. Polls consistently show that a majority of the public oppose Trident replacement (https://www.cnduk.org/about/item/399).
2. Photographs are available to the media on request.
3. Media should contact Luke Massey (CND) on 07968 420 859 or Symon Hill (Action AWE) on 07920 037 719.
Featured Image Credit: Lis Fields