This morning protestors at Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment were corralled under a section 14 notice to restrict their movement. Conditions imposed on the demonstration prevent protestors leaving prior to 12 noon today without seeking permission from the senior officer present. The senior officer refused to reveal the grounds on which he would release protestors. This raises concerns that protestors are suffering arbitrary detention as defined by the Human Rights Act. Legal advice is being sought by the protestors.

The protest is organised to block the builders who are building new facilities at AWE Aldermaston. It has highlighted the fact that although a full public and parliamentary debate has been promised on the question of trident replacement, the scale of development at Aldermaston suggests a decision has already been made. Scores of peaceful protestors, including Caroline Lucas MEP, assembled at two of the gates at Aldermaston, closing one for 45 minutes. A number of arrests took place.

In issuing a Section 14 notice, the senior police officer announced that the protestors had severely disrupted the lives of the community. Sian Jones from Aldermaston Women’s Peace Camp said, “We are very concerned about police imposing detention conditions on peaceful protestors – including on a number of children under 5. We strongly oppose this clampdown on peaceful protest.”

Kate Hudson, Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said, “We condemn this attempt to stifle public protest. We have been promised a full debate on Trident replacement, yet everything suggests work is proceeding at Aldermaston already. We demand an end to all building work at Aldermaston until a democratic decision is made on Trident replacement following a full debate.”


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Notes to Editor:

1. The protest was organised by Block the Builders and supported by CND. Block the Builders is a campaign which aims to non-violently prevent the building of a new laser facility at AWE Aldermaston, the first stage of a series of proposed developments which would enable AWE Aldermaston to build the next generation of nuclear weapons. For more information on Block the Builders visit their website www.blockthebuilders.org.uk
2. For further information and interviews please contact Rick Wayman, CND's Press & Communications Officer, on 0207 7002350 or 07968 420859
3. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is one of Europe’s biggest single-issue peace campaigns, with over 32,000 members in the UK. CND campaigns for the abolition of all nuclear weapons everywhere. www.cnduk.org