Interfaith Peace Walk Towards a Nuclear Free Future
Dublin to London, April-June - 2007
Day 17,18 - May 29th & 30th, 2007:
Special Report - Faslane Peace Action - a Global Message
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An International Group of 17 began walking from the gates of Coulport Base, a facility where the UK store nuclear weapons for the Faslane Base - part of the Trident program. Even though the cold wind blew in our faces, the spirit was high as we climbed over the loch and saw a great view of the Faslane Base housing what we could see - 3 Submarines. The beauty of the loch and surrounding mountains is shrouded in darkness from the weapons of mass destruction that are secured on the 4 submarines that are based at the Faslane Facility. Up and over the hill we came in direct line with the North Gate and took this strong energy into a brilliant action of peaceful demonstration with unconditional acts of compassion, concern and love for life, for the Earth and for humanity. Outside the North Gates of Faslane Submarine Base that houses Britain's nuclear weapons of mass destruction 9 of us from all around the world took part in our own symbolic gestures towards world peace and for a future without the threat of nuclear weapons. 
Taking our International message - Father Bix, a 79 year old Jesuit Priest from Seattle led the group and made for the gates. In a procession that followed, Eric Johnson a Presbyterian Minister from Tennessee, Jon Blickenstaff from Ohio, a Japanese women, 2 Scottish women, and an Australian women gathered in a circle, sat down and linked arms and feet.
We managed to stop some of the traffic coming out and into the Base, and get our message across to the Police that we would not move as under International Law what was going on at this Base (where we sat) was illegal and immoral.
After the words of Gandhi (Bernie Meyers) about peace and non-violence we all began to sing.
Bernie was later arrested (with hesitation from the police) for standing on the road, and escorted to the van very peacefully.
Mark from Belfast who had joined us for the walk from Glasgow upto Faslane stood in the right corner of the Gates, waiting for his best opportunity to leap forward. In a split second out of my eyes I could see Mark make a flying leap and with 2 red hooks try to scale the gates....it wasn't long before the Police had grabbed him and throw him to the ground. While we continued to sing, most of us had been pulled apart and arrested and taken to the van. 
Bix and Eric managed to stay for a few more minutes, tangling in each others arms in a hilarious act of love for each other while managing to keep the police confused.
All arrested for "Breach of the Peace" and locked up for the night. So far we have been treated with incredible care and (almost) respect. We were released the following morning at 9.30am without any charges, formal warning or letter.......so - On Wednesday May 27th after we were all released we headed back to the comfort of the Faslane Peace Camp, had lunch and gathered back together for a debrief on the previous actions. From the debrief many a good words where spoken especially in regards to how we were all treated by the police - without any intimidation or unnerving issues, more so that we were all empowered by our actions. We all agreed that the experience we had was due to the supportive people from the Peace Camp, from the local area, from Scotland and from the 365 campaign working hard over many years and the endless dedication put into police liaising and dialogue. Thank you!! 
Keeping up our 48 hour blockade, out of the meeting we had discussed another action for the Faslane South gate. When the rain had eased and the sun began to shine the light on us, we started walking from the Peace Camp to the South Gate.
At the same time, 2 young guys from Australia and America began making their way along the back route through the bush, and hooked up with us as we passed them en route with lock-on's for the action.
Father Bix, Eric and the Japanese women, along with one other American and Australian guy all locked on just as the police came from behind us at the South Entrance on Maidstone Road. In perfect timing and excellent precision work all 5 people (including 79-year old Bix) laid down, locked on and managed to re-divert the traffic for over an hour. The sun shone, and we all sang songs and played the guitar while the police wondered what to do (well, this is what is seemed). We did have a few incidents with angry workers for awhile however this was defused very quickly, peacefully and professionally. The police were very upset to see that 4 of the people being arrested had been the day before, and in doing so kept each person in longer overnight. All the International people were released by 2pm the following day with a warning letter, however Jill (Scotland) has been prosecuted with "Breach of the Peace". To be continued....... 
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