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ANTI-NUCLEAR campaigners launched a month of protests at the government’s Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) at Burghfield in Berkshire yesterday.
Protesters, including supporters of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and peace activists the Trident Ploughshares, attempted to disrupt production by blockading Burghfield’s two entrances.
Burghfield and AWE Aldermaston, which is seven miles away, make nuclear warheads for Trident missiles. Burghfield is working on the new generation of warheads in advance of a Commons vote on Trident’s replacement.
The cost is expected to be at least £200 billion.
Among the protesters was 86-year-old CND vice-president Pat Arrowsmith, organiser of the first London to Aldermaston march in 1958, which mobilised tens of thousands of people.
Ms Arrowsmith, who has been sent to prison 11 times for her anti-nuclear activities, told the Morning Star: “Today I am at Burghfield because it assists our nuclear weapons policy. I have been opposing them since 1957.”
CND general secretary Kate Hudson, who was with Ms Arrowsmith at Burghfield, said: “The vast complexes at Burghfield and Aldermaston are founded on a wealth of resources and extraordinary human skill. What a tragedy that these are utilised for the production of weapons of mass destruction rather than being used instead to secure real human security and meet the real needs of our society.”
She told the Morning Star: “It is crucial to raise awareness and opposition to the government’s plans to replace Trident.
“The vote could take place any time after the EU referendum and this protest is vital to raise awareness.”
Protester Clanilla Cancantato, from Knighton, said: “There are people from all backgrounds here.
“I am seeing funding for education, health, arts squeezed dry. We had a meeting in our town to save our library. The cost of Trident could fund hundreds of libraries.
“It is disgusting, immoral and illegal.”
Morag Carmichael from London said: “It is ridiculous that the government should spend that money on something that is useless. Even the army is saying it will be useless.”
Activists from Scotland, Europe, students and faith groups are also expected to join the protest.
