A Grandmother in Distress

EPISODE TWENTY ONE: “PROTEST HEAVEN”

After years of campaigning along with countless arrests, court cases and prison stays, Helen surprises everyone when she reveals her nerves over this particular trial.  With friends and fellow campaigners striving for a way to make the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act inoperable, the responsibility of setting a legal precedent begins to take its toll.  But do they expect too much from her?

‘Terrorist Grannies’ told to prove what happens at Menwith Hill

EPISODE TWENTY: “PROTECT THE ILLEGAL LAW BREAKING”

The prosecution decline the judge’s informal request to provide information about Menwith Hill and details about the designation of sites under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act.  With the burden of proof falling heavy on Helen and Sylvia, it is up to these two Yorkshire grandmothers to find expert witnesses to speak on their behalf.  With the prosecution and defence failing to reach deadlines, the women begin to question whether their trial for terrorism will ever be over and if their evidence will be allowed to be heard.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Find out more about Menwith Hill by watching episode 3 in the Opening Trilogy

Find out what happened last time Helen and Sylvia were in court – watch episode 16

The Women’s Peace Camp: Since 1994

EPISODE NINETEEN: “BY CONFRONTING OUR GOVERNMENT”

Anne and Helen reveal more about camp life, from living under canvas and the responses they get from the public to their (not so covert) operations to break into Menwith Hill.  Whilst living outdoors presents certain challenges it becomes clear that the social element of mixing with like minded individuals across the generations, makes up for any discomfort these grandmothers may endure.  Luckily in this windy lay by, just outside Menwith Hill, the police are also on hand to check they survive the elements to protest another day.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Find out more about Menwith Hill by watching episode 3 in the Opening Trilogy

Helen lives up to her ‘terrorist’ reputation

EPISODE EIGHTEEN: “THE LIFE OF THE INSURGENT”

Helen sets up a new peace camp just outside the perimeter of Menwith Hill and with the help of fellow protester, Kate Holcombe, quickly establishes a place for her renewed campaign.  This episode gives a taste of camp life, from the mix of characters and tales of past police encounters to the vehicles that quickly decorate the scene: from caravans and police cars to prison vans!  There is always a serious and heartfelt purpose behind all of Helen’s antics but the women always ensure they have a good giggle, testing the police and being prepared to drive themselves to court in Helen’s new prison van if needed!

FURTHER INFORMATION

Watch Episode 3 in the Opening Trilogy to find out more about Menwith Hill.

For further information about Kate Holcombe’s campaign visit her blog: Direct Action Station

“The 3rd Disarming Grandmother”

EPISODE SEVENTEEN: “WHAT HAVE I DONE ANNE?”

Anne Lee is the ‘wise owl’ behind the scenes of those Disarming Grandmothers!  Often in the background, researching and preparing cases, she too has dedicated her life to opposing Menwith Hill Spy Base.  Helen and Sylvia often tap into Anne’s knowledge and together they come up with new ways to present their case and bring their campaign into the public domain.  These three Yorkshire grandmothers represent the brains, the humour and the soul of the peace movement and together they are truly disarming.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION

Watch Episode 2 & 3 in the Opening Trilogy to find out more about the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act, Helen and Sylvia’s act of protest and Menwith Hill Spy Base. 

Judge orders details on U.S Spy Base… Or does he?

EPISODE SIXTEEN: INFAMY AT LAST

Helen and Sylvia’s trial has been adjourned and a hearing takes place to decide what elements of their defence are legitimate to be used in their trial.  But the women and the press appear misled, as the difference between a formal direction and an informal request, means that perhaps nothing, after all, has been decided.  381 days after their arrest it seems the women are no closer to bringing the real issues into a British Court.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Read intial news reports:

BBC

Telegraph and Argus

“Activists fight for the removal of military bases”

EPISODE FIFTEEN: THE SYSTEM WOULD FALL DOWN

In this episode we see Helen and Sylvia campaign in their own ways to raise awareness of the global implications of US Military Bases.  Helen addresses a Capital Woman Conference whilst Sylvia stands shoulder to shoulder with the Chagossians, as they await a verdict from the Appeal Court on their right to return home.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Find out more about the current situation in Diego Garcia.

Read a speech delivered by Sylvia to the UN Working Group in Geneva about the Chagossian people and their right to return home.

Find out more about the UK Chagos Support Association.

Watch ‘Stealing a Nation’ a documentary by John Pilger about Diego Garcia.

CREDITS

Special thanks to:

Capital Woman

Emily Thornberry MP

UK Chagos Support Association. 

“The next generation steps up”

EPISODE FOURTEEN: YOU HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE

Helen and Sylvia meet with two students from Bradford University to talk about the virtues and disillusionments that befall the modern day peace campaigner.  Coinciding with an opportunity to meet with a local journalist, the women share insights, ideas and frustrations of a society that supports the upgrade of nuclear submarines yet arrests those that stand in opposition for breach of the peace.  As two generations come together, history shares a table with the future; so is it time for the batten to finally be handed down?

FURTHER INFORMATION

Read the article that was published as a result of this encounter.

CREDITS

With special thanks to Paddy McGuffin from the Telegraph and Argus

Bradford University

Sarah Cartin from Yorkshire CND

Rebecca Holloway

Lavinia Crossley

“Protesters step into the media spotlight”

EPISODE THIRTEEN: BOYES AND JOHN

Helen believes passionately in the power of the press to generate publicity, whilst Sylvia typically prefers to fly under the radar.  But being a Yorkshire grandmother on trial for terrorism has a tendency to attract media interest and with the women needing to raise awareness of the issues at stake, they jointly become press gurus as they involve national and local journalists in their story.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Please note, for rights purposes, this episode is only permitted to be distributed on www.disarminggrandmothers.com and youtube.

Read ‘Helen and Sylvia, the new face of terrorism’ in The Independent.

Find out more about the work of Yorkshire CND.

CREDITS

With special thanks to

BBC

Telegraph and Argus

The Times

The Yorkshire Post

“Peace Activists on trial for Terrorism”

EPISODE TWELVE: A CREDIT TO THE COMMUNITY

Almost a year since their arrest, Helen and Sylvia’s trial for terrorism begins.  The consequences of a conviction could result in 51 weeks in prison and/or a £5,000 fine, however, it seems when facing potential incarceration there is always time for a little light relief first!

Their defence argument centres on the legitimacy of choosing the sites which are to be designated under Section 128 of The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (SOCPA).  By designating sites of nuclear and/or military interest under the act – sites which are likely to attract anti-nuclear, anti-war and environmental campaigners, they argue that freedom of speech and the right of protest is being severely threatened.

In relation to the designation of U.S Spy Base Menwith Hill under the act, they raise the question of whether a British law can and should be used to protect American interests.  With the Judge taking an interest in the designation of sites under SOCPA and how these decisions arise, it seems that these two grandmothers from Yorkshire may be onto something; the question is, are they up to it?

FURTHER INFORMATION

Have a look at press coverage from their trial: from The Telegraph and Argus and BBC Look North – Day 1 & Day 2.

For a greater understanding of their initial act of protest which led to the charge, watch “A terrorist but not a violent terrorist” in the opening trilogy.

To find out what has happened in court previously, please watch “We don’t seem to understand it”.

Read Liberty’s statement on the importance of protest on the news page.

CREDITS

“Peace Protest Grans on Trial” and “Judge Warns US Spy Base Grans” reproduced courtesy of the Telegraph & Argus, Bradford www.telegraphandargus.co.uk