International peace gardeners arrested planting vines and fig trees inside Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston, UK; first court appearance on Hiroshima Day, Saturday 6th August

In the early hours of Friday 5th August, nine peace gardeners from Europe and Australia planted vines and fig trees inside and outside the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston, UK, transforming it into a garden of peace and justice.

Calling themselves the Aldermaston Vine & Fig Tree Planters, the group arrived at dawn, cut a garden gate in the perimeter fence and entered carrying spades, trowels, watering cans, five vines and five fig trees, which they proceeded to plant. Arriving police were offered a choice of grapes, fig rolls, grape juice or wine. Some of the police chose the grapes and then arrested all nine on suspicion of criminal damage to the perimeter fence.

After a day's questioning in nearby police cells, all nine were charged that "without lawful excuse, [they] damaged a section of the outer perimeter fence… to the value of £500 belonging to The Ministry of Defence". One gardener was released, whilst the other eight, who all gave their address as "Aldermaston," were remanded in custody overnight. The eight will appear at Reading Magistrates Court at 9.30am on Saturday 6 th August – Hiroshima Day – for a bail hearing.

The previous day, Thursday 4 th August, ten gardeners had planted a vine and a fig tree outside the main gate of AWE Aldermaston and informed the authorities of their intention to return and continue the peaceful conversion of the base.

The nine arrestees are: Sr Susan Clarkson (England), Per Herngren (Sweden), Mike Hutchinson (England), Barbara Smedema (Netherlands), Treena Lenthall (Australia), Martin Smedjeback (Sweden), Les Gibbon (England), Lizzie Jones (England), Stephen Hancock (England). The two non-arrested peace planters are Orla Cunningham (Ireland) and Thomas Helgeson (Sweden).

In a joint statement given to police on both the 4 th and 5 th of August, the eleven say:

"On the eve of the 60th anniversary of the bombings of the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we come to the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston, UK, to plant vines and fig trees.

‘They shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. Instead, everyone shall sit underneath their vine and fig tree and none shall make them afraid. ' (Micah 4:3)

Disarmament, economic conversion and nonviolence are vital ingredients for creating a just world in which everyone enjoys the earth's abundance.

In these fearful, suspicious times, we invite people all around the world to transform military bases into gardens of peace in which beauty and life shall flourish."

Supporters will gather outside Reading Magistrates Court at 9.30am, Saturday 6 th August.

Messages of support are welcome, and the eleven extend their love, support and action to all those remembering the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Contact: Stephen Hancock on 07717 324 057
Email: vineandfigtree@hotmail.co.uk
Photographs available: www.figs-and-vines.poijoy.urevised.com