From 7am this morning, 50 activists from Wales have been blockading the Main Gate of the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Burghfield. CND congratulates the campaigners, who are calling for the Trident nuclear weapons system to be scrapped and plans to replace it cancelled.
The protest, organised by CND Cymru, has seen activists from across Wales, accompanied by three huge red dragons, ‘lock on’ with chains and pipes across the main entrance.
Protesters have sent comments from the blockade:
Councillor Ray Davies (Lab: Caerphilly)
“We have come from our Welsh Valleys to tell the world that we will never give up the struggle to free our beautiful world from the dangers and fear of nuclear weapons. We are blockading here at AWE Burghfield, where the Trident warheads are made, for our children and for all our future generations.”
Marie Walsh (Blackwood, Gwent):
“Our three Welsh dragons, banners and “Mad Trident” tea party have been getting lots of support from cars passing on the road where we are blocking the lane to the AWE Burghfield Main Gate. The message is “Vote NO to Nuclear”!
Food not Bombs Cardiff:
“We believe the government should not spend any more money on bombs and war, but start spending more money on feeding hungry people.”
Angie Zelter (Knighton):
“We need co-operation, not war, to deal with climate change and to enable everyone on the planet to live in security and health’”
Bilingual interviews with those blockading the gate are available:
Rebecca Johnson: 07733360955
Angie Zelter: 01547 520929 / 07456588943
Marie Walsh: 01495 220 400 / 0796 424 2966