9 Arrested planting Vines & Fig Trees on Aldermaston Nuclear Weapons Factory

International Ploughshare Activists & Friends Act on the eve of Anniversary of Hiroshima Bombing

9 arrested at Aldermaston Nuclear Weapons Factory (England) marking 60th Anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Aldermaston Vine & Fig Tree Planters

In the early hours of Friday 5th August, nine peace gardeners from Europe and Australia planted vines and fig trees at the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston, UK. After five minutes Ministry of Defence police arrived and arrested all nine of the planters within the base on suspicion of criminal damage.

The previous day, Thursday 4th August, the gardeners had planted a vine and a fig tree outside the main gate of AWE Aldermaston and informed the authorities of their intention to return and continue the peaceful conversion of the base.

The four women and five men are currently being held at Newbury police station. They are: Sr Susan Clarkson (England), Per Herngren (Sweden), Mike Hutchinson (England), Barbara Smedema (Netherlands), Treena Lenthall (Australia), Martin Smedjeback (Sweden), Les Gibbon (England), Lizzie Jones (England) and Stephen Hancock (England).

Calling themselves the Aldermaston Vine & Fig Tree Planters, the group arrived at dawn, cut a gateway in the perimeter fence and entered carrying spades, trowels, watering cans, four vines and five fig trees. Having planted and watered the vines and fig trees, they offered their arresting officers a choice of grapes, fig rolls, grape juice or wine.

In a joint statement given to both workers at AWE Aldermaston and their arresting officers, the eleven say:

“On the eve of the 60th anniversary of the bombings of the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we come to the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston, UK, to plant vines and fig trees.

‘They shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. Instead, everyone shall sit underneath their vine and fig tree and none shall make them afraid.’ (Micah 4:3)

Disarmament, economic conversion and nonviolence are vital ingredients for creating a just world in which everyone enjoys the earth’s abundance.

In these fearful, suspicious times, we invite people all around the world to transform military bases into gardens of peace in which beauty and life shall flourish.”

Supporters are maintaining a presence outside Newbury station and are available for interview.