Blockade of Trident Bomb Factory Enters Seventh Day

The Burghfield bomb factory, administered by the Atomic Weapons Establishment, builds and maintains nuclear warheads. The site is set for a £734 million upgrade as part of plans to replace Trident, Britain’s nuclear weapons system, a scheme CND says will cost £205 billion.

Organisers Trident Ploughshares say hundreds of activists will travel to the site from across the UK and Europe before the end of June. They hope the disruption will raise awareness of the role the site plays just weeks before a parliamentary decision on whether or not the UK will replace Trident.

Angie Zelter, a Trident Ploughshares spokesperson, said:

“We are still here because nuclear weapons are totally immoral but also in solidarity with all people who are struggling to ensure a decent level of public services in the UK. The government is slashing funding to vital services in order to squander at least £205 billion on an obsolete, useless, illegal relic which could never be used.”

Kate Hudson, CND general secretary, said:

“The government needs to wake up to life in 21st century Britain, and the reality of the security threats that face us at home and internationally. Rather than tackling these, the government is stuck in a cold war time warp. It’s time for them to wake up to reality – it’s time to Stop Trident. (thanks to CND for press release)

Below are photos I have taken of anti-nuclear demos in the past.

Protester at anti nuclear rally. Brighton sea front early 1980s

Anti-nuclear protest, Brighton c.1984

Anti Nuclear Demonstration,Brighton c.1987

Anti nuclear protest, Whitechapel High Road 1980s

Anti nuclear protest, Whitechapel High Road 1980s

Anti nuclear protest, Brighton 1980’s

For more information about the campaign at Burghfield look at: tinyurl.com/BurghfieldAction