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Nonviolent resistance to militarism
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Northwood mass blockade, 10/01/01
Trial at Hemel Hempstead magistrates courts on April 28th 2002
The court hearing of three London Catholic Workers - former US Airforce airman Scott Albrecht, English Catholic Sr. Susan Clarkson and Australian Ploughshares activist Ciaron O'Reilly - took place at Hemel Hempstead magistrates court on Holy Thgursday, April 28th.
The three had been arrested on December 10th.after pouring red paint over the Northwood Headquarters sign at the entrance to the military base in northwest London. Northwood is the Permanent Joint Headquarters responsible for issuing commands to British forces deployed abrooad. By December 10th a conservatively estimated 3,767 Afghan civilians had been killed by U.S. and British bombardment over the previous 8 1/2 weeks. Four British SAS commandoes (often employed for bombing targetting purposes) under command from Northwood had been wounded and returned to Britain. 60 personnel from Northwood had been transferred to US Command Centre in Florida.
During police testimony the Catholic Worker action was described as "prayerful & considered not reckless". Police admitted that the various people who had gathered at Northwood that day were expressing "anxiety about the immient threat to civilian lives in Afghanistan". One police officer testified that he assumed the "red paint signified blood being shed in Afghanistan" and that we had effectively "made our point clearly" with its use. Police acknowledged that we were kneeling, praying and performing a religious ceremony - this was confirmed by police surveillence video.
One legal defence we then explored to the charge of "criminal damage" was under Article 9 of the European Human Rights Act, to which Britain is a signatory, guaranteeing "freedom of religious statement" and article 10 guaranteeing "free statement". Defense witness testified to the lack of criminal intent and that the sign had been enhanced/improved - offering more information about the nature of the base - by our action. We argued that we had come to enhance the sign and preserve life not to damage and destroy. All witnesses testified to the role of Northwood in the indiscriminate killing in Afghanistan.
The threee magistrates appeared engaged - the chief magistrate admonished the prosecutor at the outset declaring that "this was a very important case". The court official and police officer also appeared engaged by the evidence and our witness against the war. The prosecutor not so much! We were found guilty, scored a conditional discharge (no punishment if we don't reoffend in the next 12 month, as if!), no court costs and ordered to pay 200GBP for the clean up (although I can't remember the prosecution presenting a recipt so we should have been on to that I guess).
We had wonderful support 20 folks gathered in London the previous night for music from Raz and Chris Goodchild, reflection from the defendants, refreshments, group sharing on nonviolent resistance to the ongoing war and a shorth vid on US activist Brian Wilson. A crew from the D10/Northwood group went back to the base the morning of the court appearance and blocked the gates, stoppping base traffic for 20 minutes. At court there was great support form the local CND, Buddhist monks, D10 crew (many who still have to go to court for their December arrests at Northwood) and new & old friends....20 folks in all.
Ciaron O'Reilly
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