Anti-nuclear protesters blockade site
Published: 15 February 2010
Author: Catherine Archer
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Mila Ostojic from Sweden joins peace protesters at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in Berkshire
Hundreds of activists from around the world have gathered in Berkshire to blockade a site that makes nuclear warheads for Trident submarines.
Peace protesters chained themselves together or sat in front of the seven gates to the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) at Aldermaston from 7am to stop people entering.
The demonstration, described as the biggest of its kind "for many years", was staged to stop the replacement of Trident missiles.
Participants included members of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), and two Nobel Peace Prize recipients - Mairead Maguire, who campaigned to end Northern Ireland violence, and anti-land mine campaigner Jody Williams.
Thames Valley Police were monitoring the situation at AWE, and a CND spokesman said they would have to "cut out" the activists who were locked together.
"People have come from all over the UK and we also have a big international contingent - it's the biggest blockade for many years," said Kate Hudson, CND chairwoman.
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"It's a reflection of the fact that the majority of the population is against the British possession of nuclear weapons.
"The Government wants to be a leading player in nuclear disarmament, but they can't say that and press ahead with the Trident replacement."
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