22nd July 2012
Arrested for ‘giving peace a chance’
Peace Campaigner, Sylvia Boyes, spent two nights in police custody when she hung a ‘Give Peace a Chance’ banner outside the Faslane Nuclear Submarine Base in Scotland. The incident happened on Saturday 7th July when Sylvia and a fellow campaigner from the Faslane Peace Camp, decorated the North Gate with banners and blockaded the entrance, refusing to allow entry to a cyclist and a delivery man.
In a later statement, Sylvia said:
“I have taken this action as part of a long term commitment to do what I can to demonstrate that these weapons of mass murder and destruction are not being developed and deployed in my name”
On Monday 9th July Sylvia was handcuffed and taken to Dumbarton Sheriff’s Court, where she was placed in a holding cell with other female prisoners, to then be let out an hour later having had no court appearance or official charge made.
“To spend almost 48 hours in a cell with nothing but a mattress, pillow, blanket and toilet does seem unnecessary, yet I was released before I had a chance to justify my action!”
Sylvia believes this tactic is increasingly being used by the police to remove protesters from demonstrations without the need to establish formal charges and court cases, which would allow for the issues to be discussed openly in the public domain. Had Sylvia accepted her bail conditions of not re-joining the Faslane Peace Camp she could have been released earlier, however, Sylvia remains defiant that her involvement in peace camps is essential to make the point that what happens behind the weld mesh fences, razor wire and police security does not happen in her name.
The annual Faslane peace camp is now in it’s 30th year and the area has been a focal point for much ‘civil disobedience’ in response to the nuclear submarines which are inspected at Faslane Naval Base after their tours of duty. One of the most memorable protests was when Sylvia boarded a US Military plane in 2006, a video highlighting this action can be viewed here. Yet despite being a veteran peace campaigner, when it comes to arrests and internment, Sylvia admits
“You have to work hard to not allow the experience to be stressful”.
It is questionable what arrests like this achieve, for upon her release and still not deterred from protest, Sylvia walked outside the perimeter of Coulport Trident Base and across the very hills that store the Trident War Heads in silos deep underground. Once again Sylvia found herself stopped by police but this time negotiated a 15 minute peace vigil before being accompanied for the remainder of her walk; arguably a much more beneficial tactic for both the protester and the state.
28th June 2012
Anti – Drones Peace Camp Postponed to Friday 6th July
Due to the Waddington International Airshow, which will close surrounding roads, the Peace Camp has been postponed until Friday 6th July.
If you would like to financially support the Waddington Anti-Drones Campaign Helen John has set up a bank account for donations. The details are as follows:
HSBC
Waddington Anti-Drones Campaign
Account Number: 91487299
Sort Code: 402601
18th June 2012
Greenham Woman to protest against “assassination by remote control”
Helen John is to set up a Women’s Peace Camp near RAF Waddington in protest over the new generation of unmanned armed drones that will operate from the base. The camp will reside on the A15 towards Seaford, approximately 5 miles outside Lincoln and she is inviting other women to join her from Saturday 30th June onwards.
“This is a camp for women to come together and take a step to protect the future. We can’t just talk about it, we’ve got to do something”.
Drones are unmanned aerial vehicles which can be operated from the ground, as in the case of RAF Waddington, or be designed to follow a pre-programmed mission. There have been over 40 drone attacks in Pakistan since 2009 and research from The Brookings Institute shows that for every militant leader killed, 10 civilians also died. With drones imposing no risk to the crew operating them they are becoming the preferred weapon of choice, but Helen argues that they are illegal, murderous weapons that need to be stopped.
“There is no chance of escaping these weapons, this is remote assassination, where are our moral standards?”
If you feel strongly about drones and would like to find out more about the women’s peace camp call Helen on 01535 603240.
For further information about Helen’s current campaign against drones read this article in The Guardian
14th May 2012
Disarming Grandmothers gets a mention in The Big Issue in the North!
3rd May 2012
Disarming Grandmothers hits the airwaves on Jack FM!
My first radio interview took place yesterday. Have a listen…
12th April 2012
Disarming Grandmothers… the Web Series is released!
Watch the opening trilogy: 3 episodes about the grandmothers, their ‘serious organised crime’ and a US Spy Base. Or download via itunes
12th April 2012
Statement from Liberty
‘The right to protest, assemble and freely express ourselves is fundamental to British democracy. Since the misnamed, misjudged ‘War on Terror’ began new legislation has disproportionately restricted the right of protest, and from Parliament Square to Menwith Hill attempts have been made to remove peaceful dissenters from the very places they are best heard.
The ‘special relationship’ between the UK and US is much celebrated. But the arrest of two grandmothers for peacefully dissenting in the vicinity of a US spy base on British soil is yet another example of how that relationship can lead us to compromise our best traditions. Over the past year, protests abroad and at home have demonstrated the crucial link between peaceful dissent and the realisation and survival of democracy itself. With the eyes of the world turning on Britain for the 2012 Olympics, never has it been more important for us to demonstrate how democracy and dissent work hand in hand.’
Further Resources
Find out more about protesting on Parliament Square and visit Liberty’s website
To find out more about the grandmothers and Menwith Hill watch the opening trilogy.
9th April 2012
See Sylvia in action!
Sylvia is leading a ‘How can we oppose Militarism in our Communities’ workshop at the Occupy Menwith Camp on 16th April, 12 – 1pm.
Email info@yorkshirecnd.org.uk for more details.
8th April 2012
Hear Helen on Radio 4!
“My life changed… it’s something that I do not regret”
Helen takes part in a discussion about Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp alongside fellow peace campaigners Katherine Jones and Rebecca Johnson.
“The determination was stronger than ever, now the nuclear weapons were there they had to be made inoperable”
Click here to find out more and to listen to the show or alternatively listen again on Friday 13th April at 9a.m
7th April 2012
Read The Independent article that inspired Disarming Grandmothers
“Helen and Sylvia, the new face of terrorism”
Two grandmothers from Yorkshire face up to a year in prison after becoming the first people to be arrested under the Government’s latest anti-terror legislation… read more
Disarming Grandmothers 