| B52
TWO - CAMPAIGN TO DISARM THE WAR MACHINE!
Oxford peace activists Philip Pritchard and Toby
Olditch entered RAF Fairford and attempted to disarm USAF B-52
bombers early on 18th March 2003. Their decision to take this
peaceful direct action was a response to absolute frustration;
that all previous international pressure and efforts to prevent
the prosecution of an illegal and unjustified war had come to
nothing. details
A reminder of
the story so far:
March 2003
Toby and Phil are arrested inside RAF Fairford making their way
towards USAF B52 Bombers, which they intended to prevent from
taking off for Iraq. They are remanded to Gloucester Prison.
June 2003
Phil and Toby released on bail.
April 2004
In a pre-trial hearing, Judge Grigson at Bristol Crown Court rules
that some of Toby and Phil's defences are admissible but that
a Crime of Aggression may not be considered a crime in domestic
law. His decision is appealed to the High Court.
June 2004
The Court of Appeal uphold Judge Grigson's decision but indicate
that the matter should be certified for the House of Lords.
January 2006
The House of Lords timetable a five-day hearing.
2nd October 2006
The trial!
11th October 2006
Hung jury verdict.
14th May 2007
The retrial
22nd May 2007
Not-guilty unanimous verdict from jury:
intention to damage US bombers destined for Iraq was lawful.
BIG THANKS to White
Ribbon for Peace Campaign for their generous help with our
costs.
CND, CAAT, the Green Party, Greenpeace and CAAB, together with
Mark Thomas, satirist and peace activist, have launched the 'White
Ribbons for Peace' campaign.
|
|
 |
Trial of the
'B52 Two'
Tuesday 22nd May 2007:
Not-guilty
unanimous verdict from jury: intention to damage US bombers destined
for Iraq was lawful.
...read the full story
in the court
blogs
Download the latest
newsletter - Spring 2007
Above: Phil (left) and Toby outside court on the
first day of their trial.
It’s been over four years since Phil, Toby and
the others entered USAF Fairford to disarm the war machine. With the
continuing occupation of Iraq, and recent events in the Middle East,
it is even more relevant now to break the cycles of violence, and
to wage peace as vigorously as the powers that be wage war.
|
|
DOVES
OF PEACE PLEDGES 2006
Read the peace pledges made
by supporters of the 'B52 Two' during thier first trial in October
2006. Click on the image below to read the messages:
We had a theme: Waging Peace, to conduct ourselves
peacefully and encourage others to do the same, with the same
energy and dedication as those who wage war.
How
you helped:
Outside the court we displayed the
many ways people have waged peace since March 2003. Many of you
sent us a picture of your hand with a peace wager written/drawn/painted
in it. This was something you’d done or something you’re
pledging to do to promote peace in the world.
We have dove postcards available. If you would
like us to post you some please email us.
|
|