Yorkshire Quaker peace activist arrested
Sylvia Boyes arrested attempting to enter Faslane
Yorkshire CND and Trident Ploughshares activist Sylvia Boyes, a member of Keighley Meeting, was arrested attempting to enter Faslane, home to the UK’s nuclear submarines, on Monday 4 February.
Her actions come a week after David Cameron pledged to increase defence spending, including investment in nuclear weapons.
In a statement, read on her arrest, Sylvia said: ‘When the government of my country fails in its democratic duty to disseminate the necessary information, to initiate real debate on nuclear weapons, how can I continue not to act?
‘The building work and development for the Trident replacement at Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment continues unabated despite the government saying no decision is to be made until the next parliament in 2015.
‘I remain convinced that all nuclear weapons are weapons of mass murder and mass destruction and are therefore illegal under international laws of war. This is not a one off action but one of many to create a climate of opinion to enable the government to take part in real disarmament negotiations. ‘
Sylvia held a banner stating: ‘Nuclear Disarmament – if not now, when?’ and said she is asking that question for us all to answer.
Large protests are expected in April this year at both Aldermaston and Faslane.
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