PENSIONER FOR PEACE ARRESTED TODAY 7th FEBRUARY 2007

PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE

As the one o clock fired at 1.00pm today Harry McEachan, (from Largs) was arrested while distributing flyers from the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade. OBE (Over bloody eighty) Harry is a believer in peace and love, and wants other pensioners to join him at Faslane on 14th February (that's right, St Valentines day) which will be part of the Faslane 365 blockade. As the one o clock fired at 1.00pm today Harry was arrested while distributing flyers over the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle to promote his proposed 'No to Trident Pensioners Love in for Peace'

Harry has become a well known figure around Edinburgh, pedalling between Bute House and Parliament with his rainbow flag and colourful accoutrements until Police took him to St Leonard's. Officers there have no comment to make on the reason for his arrest, or the charge, simply stating that he is being held for court tomorrow.

Last week, on the 1st of Feb, Harry attended First minister's question time, along with a large contingent of primary school children. His response to the McConnell's comments about improvements to school discipline was interrupted by Harry shouting from the gallery,

“Jack McConnell, you are a disgrace to Scotland. Scotland doesn't want Trident missiles, we need schools, hospitals, even helicopters. You are a disgrace, doing what Tony Blair tells you.
Malcolm Chisholm is an honourable man,”
and as Harry, dressed in tartan trews and bonnet with a tee shirt bearing his grand daughter's image was escorted from the Parliament with his banner, “Scots Pensioners Agin Trident “ he continued
“If Tony Blair buys Trident, my grand daughter will be paying for it for the next fifty years.”

Harry's protest echoed the shouts of “Shame on you” from the gallery at the end of the debate on 20th December, and the pantomime outside, where the good Fairy Alba and Ma Scotland begged Santa for Schools and hospitals, rather than weapons of mass destruction.

ENDS ENDS

Photos attached (These images may be used free of charge, provided a credit is given for the photographer, Ivon Bartholomew. Further images available on request on 07971 248 638.

For Further information contact Janet Fenton, Coordinator
Edinburgh Peace and Justice Resource Centre
St John's Church Princes Street Edinburgh EH2 4BJ
Email: peace-justice@btconnect.com http://www.pjrc-edinburgh.org.uk (you will need to register to do this, this can be done at the bottom left of the screen).