INVITATION TO JOIN US CONTINGENT AT THE FASLANE365 CONTINUOUS BLOCKADE OF THE TRIDENT NUCLEAR WEAPONS SUB BASE

19-21 AUGUST 2007
Gareloch, Scotland

Dear friends,

We invite you to support and if possible participate the Faslane365 yearlong continuous blockade of the Faslane Naval base in Scotland demanding disarmament of Trident, Britain's nuclear weapons based there. The purpose of Faslane 365 is to bring people to witness and impede the nuclear base and enable them to demonstrate connections to other vital challenges for the 21st century – from human rights to climate change.

Please take a minute to sign the Faslane365 Statement of Support and consider joining a 2-day blockade of Faslane by US citizens, and invite the people in your network to take part. Learn more about the campaign at http://faslane365.org/ and sign the statement.

While Tony Blair’s government has approved plans to keep nuclear weapons in Scotland until at least the year 2055 Faslane 365 is drawing attention to the dangerous insecurity and waste of resources inherent in Trident. That is why Faslane 365 is calling on citizens to confront the weapons of death and demand disarmament now.

More than 80 autonomous groups have thus far blockaded with nearly 700 creative arrests. People from all across the UK, Europe and as far away as Japan have come to resist the nuclear madness and oppose these immoral and illegal weapons of mass destruction. Groups from across civil society including academics, health workers, students, Members of Parliament and European Parliament, environmentalists, Clergy, Lawyers, Quakers, and many others have united in this broad campaign, all in relentless opposition to nuclear weapons.

Opposition to nuclear weapons here in the UK is energetic. When Parliament voted to upgrade Trident there were actions at Faslane, Scottish Parliament, and Parliament Square in London. There is a real possibility of reversing the government decision and ousting Trident from Scotland in the near future. 75% of Scots are opposed to Trident. Several political parties with seats in Scottish Parliament, including the SNP (Scottish Nationalist Party), the Greens, the SSP (Scottish Socialist Party) and Solidarity, as well as major trades Unions, City Councils, and Churches all want rid of nuclear weapons. Nearly 100 MPs voted against upgrading Trident and several government ministers representing constituencies in Scotland resigned in protest. We have a real chance of eliminating them from Scotland. To do so might start a domino effect which could lead to disarmament of the major nuclear weapons states.

If you dare to imagine that possibility why not consider taking part in this audacious campaign. Your participation would add to the chorus of international voices which are calling for the implementation of the NPT to which both the US and the UK are signatory. An American block of the UK’s nuclear weapons installation will call attention to the special relationship between the US and the UK whereby these weapons are in reality controlled by the US. Participating in Faslane365 you could make contacts, learn from activists who have been persistent in their pursuit of peace, share ideas and experience from the US movement and take fresh energy back.

We are organizing a US block for 20 & 21 August. We are looking especially for people who are already coming over to Europe this summer, or who would connect to other peace, justice or environmental work while here as we are concerned about the environmental impact of long-haul flights. Others might be planning travel in Scotland or to visit the Edinburgh Festivals in August and could make Faslane365 a stop on their journey. . If you can’t make these dates but would like to come at any other time, contact us and we can connect you to whatever group is covering those dates.

Groups participating agree to a set of Non-violence guidelines that stress respect for all and support the main demand: Trident must be taken out of deployment and the government should make a timetable for dismantling the weapons, together with a commitment not to develop any new nuclear weapons. Beyond this it is up to individual groups to blockade as they see fit. Faslane365 can offer logistical support with accommodation, organize non-violence training, action planning, and media.

Please consider joining the US Block, and forward this invitation to your network. If you can offer advice or logistical support for getting the word out about this action or help with organizing this block let us know as soon as possible. Please fill in the questionnaire below and return. Individuals will have to make their own travel arrangements. Information on getting to Faslane is available on the website

Please visit the website and sign the Statement of Support: http://faslane365.org/

In peace

Brian Larkin Jane Tallents
usgroup@faslane365.org tp2000@gn.apc.org
Mob. 44 7760401267 Tel. 44 1436671845

Complete the Questionnaire below to Indicate your Support

Your Name:-

Name of Your Group if you have one:-

Address:

Email:
Tel:

I want to take part in the US Block and can be at Faslane on DATES YES NO

I cannot be at Faslane for the US Block but want to join another group on:
Please indicate dates you can come to Faslane

I want to blockade and can risk arrest YES NO

I prefer to do support work and demonstrate rather than blockade YES NO

I am willing to get together a small group of people to join Faslane365 Blockade YES NO

If YES then indicate likely no of people in group……......If you are a group give name of group and names of people in it if you know them.
...............

I would like to prepare by joining a nonviolence workshop the night before the blockade at the Faslane Peace Camp YES NO

I would prefer to sleep on a church floor in Glasgow all nights YES NO
I would prefer to camp outside the base and have a tent (7/8/9 Nov) YES NO
I would prefer to sleep in the Faslane 365 Coach and have a sleeping bag YES NO

Please tick as appropriate or indicate other levels of support and return to
brian@faslane365.org