Ten Quakers Arrested in Peace Testimony at Noth Gate

PRESS RELEASE

York Quakers Arrested in Blockade at Trident Submarine Base

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Ten Quakers from Britain and Ireland, including two from York, David Corry, 71 and and Ruth Corry, 70 of Friargate Quaker Meeting at York were arrested at Faslane Naval Base on Sunday March 4th as a protest against the planned
replacement of Trident.

The group held a peaceful Meeting for Worship outside the gates to Faslane, witnessing to their hopes for a world at peace. The ten were arrested after 40 Quakers invaded the road for a fifteen minute Peace Witness which included singing “Walk in the Light”.

Participants ranged in age from 16 to 75 and included civil servants, probation officers, students, architects, teachers, poets, brushmakers and tax consultants. There were four from York, Martin and Jenny Biggs, as well as the Corrys. Bright yellow umbrellas spelt out the message Quakers Say No Trident. Quakers, one of the peace churches, maintain that a just and lasting peace cannot be achieved by violence or the threat of violence. They are dismayed by the double standards of politicians who deplore violence on our streets, and say they are concerned about climate change, but are prepared to threaten indiscriminate mass murder and risk environmental catastrophe.

Helen Leach, from Leeds, said I feel compelled to be here because I’m a Quaker; and if you want to live in peace, you must do something about it - however small it may be.

Ruth Corry said “As a grandmother I want to make a small contribution to the security of my grandchildren.”

Jenny Biggs, from York, said,
We believe that we should respect the laws of the state, but we believe too
that our first loyalty must be to God’s purpose.

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Photos available - to follow.

Contact: Martin Biggs 01904 424072 07790608459