Faslane protesters call for Trident to go

May 20 2011 by Tina Kemp, Lennox Herald (main ed)

ANTI-NUCLEAR protesters will gather at Faslane in July to wave ‘goodbye’ to Trident.

The Ta Ta Trident event is being organised by Faslane Peace Camp in the wake of the SNP’s overwhelming victory in the Holyrood elections.

Peace campaigners want First Minister Alex Salmond to commit to his policy of a nuclear-free Scotland – and get rid of the Trident system.

They aim to push home the message on Saturday, July 2, with a day of music and fun.

A spokeswoman for the camp said: “As First Minister Salmond steps up to the plate, so will many other Scots who want to reclaim their right to a nuclear-free Scotland.

“Let’s ensure he and the others know we mean business by gathering, in traditional dress, to create music and show the new face of Scotland.

“Scotland has a great opportunity to lead the way in many things by putting the wishes of the people first. We want our children and grandchildren to grow up in safety, without the fear of nuclear accidents, pollution or war.

“So we’ll celebrate the new beginnings of Scotland and let our voices be heard.”

News of the event, which runs from 11am to 4pm, comes as ten anti-nuclear campaigners were arrested following a blockade of Faslane Base last Tuesday.

Activists from Trident Ploughshares and the peace camp blocked the north and south gates of the base, some locking themselves together.

The activists, who were arrested for breach of the peace, said their protest was a call for “the anti-Trident SNP government to fulfil its commitments and demand immediate disarmament of Trident and a global ban on nuclear weapons”.