Seven-mile scarf unfurled between nukes factories as thousands oppose Trident

A seven-mile pink scarf knitted by over 5,000 people from around Britain and beyond has been unfurled between the Atomic Weapons Establishments (AWE) at Aldermaston and Burghfield in Berkshire. The knitters are calling on Parliament not to renew the Trident nuclear weapons system when the decision comes up in 2016.

The event is the latest demonstration against Trident at the AWE, the site of increasingly frequent protests as the general election approaches in May 2015. Critics contrast the cost of renewing Trident, which could be up to £100bn, with the heavy cuts to public services and social security.

The sections of the scarf, which have been displayed individually in towns around the UK, were linked together for the seven mile stretch at 1.00pm today (Saturday 9 August). The date was chosen as the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945. The hundreds of people holding up the scarf observed two minutes’ silence for the victims of nuclear weapons.

The knitters include people from all parts of the UK, as well as Kenya, South Africa, France, Austria, the Middle East, parts of South America and elsewhere.

The Wool Against Weapons initiative is backed by Action AWE and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). It is the brainchild of Angie Zelter, of Knighton in Powys, and Jaine Rose, of Stroud in Gloucestershire.

Angie Zelter, co-founder of Action AWE, said:

“This is just the start of people’s mobilisation. People have to act because the government won’t disarm without people in their thousands taking to the streets. Many who have been knitting this scarf are now preparing to join the month of action at AWE in March, weeks before a general election that could determine the future of Trident.”

Notes

1. Action AWE is a grassroots campaign of nonviolent actions dedicated to halting nuclear weapons production at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), which is located at Aldermaston and Burghfield in Berkshire. Please see http://www.actionawe.org. Action AWE is committed to active nonviolence. It includes people of several religions and none.

2. Parliament will make a decision on renewing the Trident nuclear weapons system in 2016. Polls consistently show that a majority of the public oppose Trident renewal (http://www.cnduk.org/about/item/399).

3. Photographs are available to the media on request.

4. Media should contact Symon Hill (Action AWE) on 07920 037 719 or Luke Massey (CND) on 07968 420 859.