With the trial over, Helen and Sylvia re-focus their energies on campaigning and decide to surprise RAF Fylingdales by arriving under the cover of darkness to display banners outside the base. It seems, for now, that their humour, wit and cheeky banter has returned as they battle against the unforgiving conditions of the Yorkshire moors to try, once more, to promote their messages of peace.
FURTHER INFORMATION
To find out more about Fylingdales please visit the official RAF site
To find out more about Yorkshire CND and their campaigns against Fylingdales please click here
EPISODE TWENTY SIX: “Dedicated, thoughtful and whatever”
The women begin their first day as convicted serious organised criminals by protesting outside another US Base, this time Fylingdales. The ironic contrast between verdict and sentence raises questions among fellow campaigners as to the outcome for future arrests under this legislation. By making trespass onto military bases an ‘act of terrorism’ yet punishing those found guilty with, what is effectively, a slap on the wrist, the message to the peace movement isn’t entirely clear. Indeed with a growing number of campaigners deliberately seeking to challenge the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act, in conjunction with the costs of lengthy court cases, one wonders what the new legislation has achieved; besides uniting protesters young and old to make a stand against their Government.
EPISODE TWENTY FIVE: “Are you the famous Terrorist Granny?”
Helen and Sylvia’s court battle comes to a conclusion… well in the magistrate’s court at least. With their expert witness being denied the opportunity to provide evidence about Menwith Hill and Helen surprisingly being off her game, the pair leave convicted under Section 128 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act. The punishment for being a serious organised criminal proves negligible with the pair receiving £50 costs and a 3 month conditional discharge. Hungrier than ever for their chance to air the issues in a public court, Helen quickly talks of an appeal, but is their friendship up to the test?
EPISODE TWENTY FOUR: “Headbangers against the state”
Fellow peace protesters, Joan and Joy, join Helen for an evening down memory lane as they remember protests past. However, with the resumed trial just around the corner it isn’t long before thoughts turn to the consequences of that infamous April Fools Day and the terrorism charge that is now more real than ever.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Find out more about Joan’s life of protest on her blog.
Disarming Grandmothers 