Blockading Techniques

[This is not meant to be a definitive guide, for more info see the F365 Resource Pack or come along to a workshop.]

In the past people have blockaded by standing, sitting or lying across the road with their arms linked. Some people go limp when arrested making it harder for the police to move them off the road. So that the blockade is more effective, affinity groups have chained themselves together or to objects. Although, of course, the main thing is that people do blockade, rather than how they do it ― no-one should feel pressured to do something they're not comfortable with and some people will simply sit in the road until arrested then walk to the van.

To make it more difficult for the police to separate them some people join their hands through metal, plastic or cardboard tubes and lock their hands together using karabiners (climbing clips) attached to chains or rope around their wrists. The tubes have to be long enough to prevent the police sliding them along people’s arms to reveal the chain or rope. Care has to be taken not to let the police suspect you plan to use tubes as in the past they have arrested people for having lock-on tubes or chains around their wrists. Tubes can be disguised as part of fancy-dress costume, as part of street theatre props, as dummy missiles or in old rucksacks ― use your imagination! Remember that Strathclyde police have had a lot of experience this year in spotting lock-ons...

During Faslane 365 there have also been a lot of other imaginative blockading techniques appearing. Superglue has been popular ― either for gluing hands together in a lock-on tube or gluing your own hands together after linking arms with your neighbour who then does the same. People have covered themselves with paint to put the police off dealing with them. (This could cause problems in the middle of a crowded blockade!)

We are hoping to continue all day and beyond ― depending on the police response ― and in any case if the police begin arresting people at 7am it can take many hours to clear the road. So, however you choose to blockade, think about your comfort. Have warm, waterproof clothes and some padding to lie on. Have some snacks handy and, while not getting dehydrated, try to avoid a full bladder!