SCOTLAND: 'The real crime is nuclear weapons'

Issue 

Scottish Socialist Party MP Tommy Sheridan on August 25 chose to go to jail rather than pay a fine imposed on him after his arrest at an anti-nuclear demonstration at the Faslane Naval Base on February 11, 2002.

Nuclear-armed British submarines operate from the base. Sheridan had been fined £200 for "breach of the peace" in August 2002. After refusing to pay the fine, an arrest warrant was issued. A Glasgow court sentenced him to seven days' jail.

Sheridan stated on August 25: "I refuse to recognise that opposition to the inhumanity of nuclear weapons is a crime. The real crime against humanity is the existence of nuclear weapons and it's the duty of all socialists and those who want to contribute to a more peaceful society to do what they can peacefully to oppose nuclear weapons."

Sheridan was released on the morning of August 28. He remained defiant, telling the BBC: "Sometimes you have to make a stand ... The biggest waste of taxpayers' money is the £1.5bn a year that [Britain] spends on the maintenance of weapons of mass destruction."

From Green Left Weekly, September 3, 2003.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.