CND supports activists' challenge to SOCPA
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament today expressed its support for activists
Helen John and Sylvia Boyce, who have been arrested again in their ongoing
attempt to challenge the trespass laws under the Serious Organised Crime and
Police Act (SOCPA) at the US Menwith Hill spy base in North Yorkshire. Ms
John, 68, and Ms Boyce, 62, were first arrested on 1st April, the same day
that the new SOCPA law went into effect at Menwith Hill. In the two months
since their original arrest, Attorney General Lord Goldsmith and the Crown
Prosecution Service have failed to bring charges against the two grandmothers.
Kate Hudson, Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said, It seems
that the government created this legislation without fully thinking through
its practical applicability. It is not acceptable in a free and democratic
country to suppress non-violent protest by telling people to stay away from
certain places. Perhaps the government realises this and is too ashamed to
bring charges against Helen and Sylvia.
After her most recent arrest, Helen John said, I want this case to be
heard in a court of law, but that is probably the last place the government
wants it to go. The SOCPA criminal trespass law does not protect the people of
Britain against terrorism it is exclusively designed to protect US military
fighting capability in the UK. I would like to see more people join us in
challenging these laws so that the government is forced to overturn this
oppressive and unnecessary legislation.
June 2006
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