Saturday March 8, 2008, 10:05 am
Noted....tried to go to the site, but "page could not be found." It could be my computer, though, I'm having a a terrible time today. I'll try to read the article later.Thanks again, Eleanor.

Saturday March 8, 2008, 10:09 am
By Kim Sengupta
Saturday, 8 March 2008

It survived six Tory governments, the end of the Cold War and the rise and fall of mass marches against the British nuclear deterrent. But after 50 years in which the tradition of peaceful demonstration has been maintained outside the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston, the New Labour era has finally done for one of the most famous symbols of protest in British political history.

Today would have seen the latest gathering of the band of women who have assembled on the second Saturday of each month since the 1980s to object to the continuing development of the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent. Instead, following a High Court ruling this week, the protest tents are being removed, demonstrators are being threatened with arrest and "no camping" signs are being erected.

From being a symbol of the right to protest, Aldermaston has become the latest testament to the desire of successive New Labour governments to curtail the right to assemble, demonstrate and object to government policy.

Evidence from the Ministry of Defence to the High Court cited "operational and security concerns". In their High Court appeal, legal representatives for the Aldermaston women argued that the by-law which ostensibly took effect last May banning "camping in tents, caravans, trees or otherwise" amounted to an unlawful interference with freedom of expression and the right of assembly guaranteed by articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights. David Plevsky, appearing for the Aldermaston Women's Peace Camp, said the new regulations were "criminalising the peaceful, traditional and regular activities of the AWPC".

It cut no ice. Before the ruling, Sian Jones a member of the peace camp, said: "If we don't win this review our very existence will be under threat. But there are also wider implications for the long-held right to protest, which is such an important part of British society. Aldermaston has been known as a place of protest for the last 50 years, and this year is the 50th anniversary of the first CND march there." That battle has now been lost.

As a result of the heavy-handed prohibition of a long-running series of protests which have never resulted in violence, a march this Easter to Aldermaston – intended to commemorate the pioneering protest of 1958 – has now taken on a wholly contemporary significance. After a series of assaults on the right to protest around Westminster and beyond, the 2008 trek through Berkshire is set to become the latest chapter in the fight to wrest back civil liberties that New Labour appears determined to take away.

The CND is planning a 50th anniversary day of action on Easter Monday, when the atomic weapons establishment is to be surrounded by a "human chain" to highlight what it says is the stifling of legitimate protest. The police have warned that anyone causing an obstruction during that protest is likely to be arrested and prosecuted.

Kate Hudson, the chairperson of CND said: "We feel this is an extremely serious matter where the long-established and hard-won right to protest is now under attack. People are extremely worried about the weapons of mass destruction being produced at Aldermaston and it is unrealistic of the Government to think that they will not take part in expressing their views. "We hope that on Easter Monday people will not only come because it is the 50th anniversary of the first march but also to show the need to defend their civil liberties."

One campaigner planning to take part, 57-year-old Margaret Jefferson, from west London, said: "I think it is essential that people make a stand on this issue. I had stayed at that peace camp as have so many others without posing any threat to anyone. What is this Government afraid of, what do they think we will do?

"We live in a very dangerous world as it is and with the end of the Cold War there is even less justification for nuclear weapons. As long as these weapons are here there is the risk that a version of them will come into the hands of terrorists."

One of the most famous figures to participate in 1958 is too frail to be there on Easter Monday. But there is no questioning his ongoing commitment to the protest and outrage at the modern Labour Party's complicity in its suppression.

Michael Foot, the former Labour leader, who marched with his late wife, the actress and author Jill Craigie, said last night that he was "deeply saddened" to hear of the camp being closed down, and especially dismayed that this should happen under a Labour government.

"We thought the cause was right and just and we were glad to take part in these marches," Mr Foot said. "I think it is wretched that they are now thinking of shutting down the camp after it had been goingsuccessfully for more than 20 years and I am sure Jill would have felt the same way as well.

"The governments at the time sometimes behaved very badly towards these protesters who were simply exercising their rights in a peaceful way. But these were Tory governments, the Labour Party supported them as I recall, I was the leader at the time. But times seem to have changed."

Saturday March 8, 2008, 10:10 am
Thanks, Sammantha. No, it must have been my fault. Anyway I went to the paper again and copied it. Thanks again!!!

Saturday March 8, 2008, 10:12 am
Oh to have the likes of Michael Foot as leader of the Labour Party again. A man of integrity, honesty and principle. Not like the charlatans we have had lately, present incumbent included. They should all curl up and die of shame for what they have done to the Labour Party. New Labour, New Nazis!

Saturday March 8, 2008, 11:08 am
Noted. Thanks Eleanor.

Saturday March 8, 2008, 11:55 am
I'm having the same problem as Samantha - PAGE CAN NOT BE FOUND - now what?

Saturday March 8, 2008, 12:14 pm
noted thank you

Saturday March 8, 2008, 12:17 pm
Marena, the article is up there just after Samantha's comment. That is the site. I don't know what happened. I thought it must have been me but what could I have done wrong as I simply put in the URL for the article. It's just one of these things. Thanks for being there.

Saturday March 8, 2008, 2:49 pm
Noted - Shared

Saturday March 8, 2008, 3:20 pm
Sometimes the url changes when they put them in Archives. Thanks Eleanor!

Saturday March 8, 2008, 4:56 pm
We are not allowed to protest against this Government. We are ruled by fascists and Dictators who refuse to allow us to disagree with them...maybe Mugabi has taken over.

Saturday March 8, 2008, 6:40 pm
I had not heard of the Peace Camp
until I read this article, Eleanor.
This is a tragic story, of something
so good and noble being shut down.
I would say the British Govt. does
not want any further attention drawn
to the place.
Thank you, my friend, and
noted.

Saturday March 8, 2008, 6:58 pm
noted...thanks for posting

Sunday March 9, 2008, 5:26 am
I don't think they wanted it to be in place when they announce their umpteen billion trillion commitment to new nuclear submarines for the Clyde. (Near Glasgow - 400 miles away from London!) But hopefully, despite their attempts to suppress free speech and opposition, the battle for our freedoms and liberties will not be defeated. And hopefully we can stop this mad nuclear proliferation!

Monday March 10, 2008, 2:57 pm
AND...now FUHRER BUSH has vetoed congress's legislation for anti-torture!!

Monday March 10, 2008, 3:00 pm
Sounds like the USA!

Monday March 10, 2008, 3:13 pm
AniTa, we knew he would do this but it is sickening all the same when it actually happens. He has vetoed a bill outlawing torture? Shame on him and all who practise, allow or even just condone the torture of any living being. And he calls himself a Christian? Last night I was at a demonstration outside the Glasgow Hilton. The Israeli Ambassador had the neck to visit Glasgow to attend along with Goldie Haughn who was speaking about 'Laughter is the Best Medicine'!!!! No laughter, No Medicin in GAZA! It was a great demonstration! Palestinian flags flying high in the high winds. Glaswegians of all colours, creeds, all being filmed by the police! We are all Palestinians, in our thousands, in our millions!!! We will overcome some day. Deep in my heart, I do believe. As long as there are people like the ones I was with last night!!!!

Monday March 10, 2008, 3:18 pm
It was a fund-raising dinner for the JNF - Jewish National Fund. I have nothing against anyone of any religion, Jewish or any other, but this organisation sends money to Israel to help the purchase of land that Palestinians are not allowed to buy. No doubt they will have a website - I am not too familiar with all what they do. But there is blood on their hands if they support the Israeli government's actions against the Palestinians in Gaza. No medicine in Gaza and definitely no laughter, Goldie! Shame on her! Laughter! Tell that to the people of Gaza.

Monday March 10, 2008, 3:33 pm
AniTa, when I was a student of politics at Glasgow University, I was told about all the checks and balances of the US system of government. But there is no check on the President, is there? He is a dictator, virtually. A dictator who condones torture. What will future generations of Americans think of him, if they are ever allowed to know the truth? If they don't rewrite history the way they did in the USSR! They taught children that Stalin was good. Stalin loved torture, show trials, concentration camps and executions too! There is no difference now.

Monday March 10, 2008, 3:51 pm
I am afraid you are right Eleanor. It is sad that the masses havce no idea. I call it the 'slow boil'...cook a lobster in warm water and it falls asleep while being killed.
People won't know what hit them until everything is gone.
I am honoured to have you for a friend Eleanor. Keep up that mighty spirit. Yes our US president is a dictator.

Monday March 10, 2008, 3:53 pm
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA

Don't Give Bush the Last Word on Torture!
President Bush vetoed legislation forbidding waterboarding and other "alternative interrogation techniques."
Make it clear that the people of the United States abhor what the President condones.




http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/site/c.jhKPIXPCIoE/b.3943995/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=3943995&en=clLNJ3PLLbKWJdMOKaJTLaNZLnLXLjN4IrLWKeP6KzF&tr=y&auid=3453697

Monday March 10, 2008, 3:55 pm
BTW..How Kool to be at that demo!!

Monday March 10, 2008, 4:04 pm
AniTa, it did my soul good. We are still there, the protesters. We waved the flags at them as they filmed! They have me on record already - I have no fear of them. I would quite happily die for the people of Palestine so their filming of the protesters doesn't exactly scare me. But I wonder if they concentrated on the men and women who looked like Muslims? New dossiers if there were unkennt faces? Of course! And I hope people in the US will respond to Amnesty's call. And don't despair. Finally the people of Russia got rid of the Soviets. Just a pity they were replaced by the Russian Mafia. Poor Russian people! But one day......!!!!???? Good maybe will overcome evil. We see wee bits of it here and there.

Friday March 14, 2008, 10:34 pm
"When I despair I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have always been tyrants and murderers and for a time they can seem invincible but in the end they always fall. Think on it. Always." - Mohandas K. Ghandi - 1869-1948.
Hang in there, try to help spead the word and do what needs to be done... and NEVER give up HOPE or DETERMINATION.

Saturday March 15, 2008, 3:12 am
Well said, Melissa. No, we can't despair. The tyrants win when they drive us to despair.