Campaign Review 2008

Campaign CND

Review 2008

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ND’s 50th anniversary year has seen a strengthening of our global profile and an increasing level of awareness of the nuclear issue. With events such as our successful Global Summit for a Nuclear WeaponFree World and the Aldermaston 2008 ‘Bombs Stops Here’ encircling of the nuclear bomb factory – and countless other campaigning events – we have seen increasing popular backing for nuclear disarmament. And this support is coming from many quarters. In December, a new initiative was launched in Paris, called Global Zero. Bringing together one hundred world figures calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons, British signatories include Margaret Beckett, David Owen, Richard Branson and Malcolm Rifkind. Add this to a whole stream of initiatives calling for an end to nukes. And all this is taking place against the backdrop of a big change in the White House. It is well known that Barack Obama supports the goal of global nuclear abolition. So where are we going with all this? Are we reaching – or even at – the tipping point? Where the momentum for change becomes unstoppable? The Global Zero initiative has produced a poll which shows that 76% of people across 21 countries – including nuclear weapon states – favour an international agreement to eliminate all nuclear weapons. Clearly the critical mass is there in sheer numbers terms, and it is increasingly there in terms of celebrities, and ‘worthies’ of various sorts. But it is the politicians who wield the power who have to shift, and for that to happen they have to really experience popular pressure. So there’s still a way to go. Yes, things are going in our direction, but there are still enormous hurdles to be overcome. We need to take action to turn the majority desire for nuclear abolition into real policy change. Let’s work for that in the year ahead, with others in Britain and around the world. Every bit of pressure will help, whether opposing the next stage of Trident replacement, protesting at the NATO 60th anniversary summit in April, or preventing the new ‘missile defence’ bases in central Europe. It’s all part of the process. Thank you to everyone who has helped make our anniversary year such a great success – you can read about much of it in this Campaign Review. Now let’s look together to the year ahead, to make 2009 a real tipping point – the time when nuclear disarmament becomes unstoppable.

CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2008

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament CND campaigns non-violently to achieve British nuclear disarmament – for scrapping the Trident nuclear weapons system and preventing its replacement. CND works to secure a Nuclear Weapons Convention which will ban nuclear weapons globally, as chemical and biological weapons have been banned. We also work to end Britain’s participation in the US Missile Defence system and – with other campaigns internationally – against missile defence and weapons in space. Other current campaigns include the prevention and cessation of wars in which nuclear weapons may be used, opposition to NATO and its nuclear policies, and to nuclear power. CND is funded entirely by its members and supporters, and our policies are decided upon by our annual national delegates’ conference, where our national leadership is also elected. Details of our national offices, and our network of regions and local groups can be found at the back of this Review.

CND Kate Hudson, Chair CND

Mordechai Vanunu House 162 Holloway Rd • London N7 8DQ Tel: 020 7700 2393 Fax: 020 7700 2357 [email protected] www.cnduk.org 3

50th Anniversary

CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

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ND’s fiftieth anniversary provided the focus for a number of significant campaigning events during 2008. Our Global Summit for a Nuclear Weapon-Free World took place in February, attended by activists and experts from around the world, including Sergio Duarte from the United Nations and Bianca Jagger. Others came from the US, Russia, China, France, Israel, India, Pakistan and beyond. The 50th anniversary Aldermaston statement in the Guardian in March 2008 had a fantastic response; over £40,000 was raised by supporters adding their name to the statement. This enabled CND to run other newspaper adverts during the year. On Easter Monday we held our ‘The Bomb Stops Here’ event at AWE Aldermaston, marking the 50th anniversary of the first Aldermaston march. Around 5,000 people of all ages surrounded the site: people who had been on the first march mingled with those on their first ever protest. We were happy to welcome the family of Gerald Holtom, the designer of the CND symbol. We were very pleased with the media coverage of both events; not only was it extensive but it also correctly portrayed CND as a dynamic contemporary organisation, as well as being one with a long history.

Abdul Minty, Bianca Jagger, Ken Livingstone, Kate Hudson, Rebecca Johnson and Sergio Duarte at the Global Summit, City Hall, London

Regions

Thanks to support and encouragement from CND worker Mell Harrison and her mobilising team, CND groups made a fantastic effort organising for ‘The Bomb Stops Here’ anniversary event. To publicise the demo, there were public meetings, articles in the press and street stalls all over the country. For instance, Kent Area CND with Student CND members had a ‘walk-about’ around Canterbury carrying a ‘missile’. This both 4

The family of Gerald Holtom, the designer of the CND symbol, travelled to Aldermaston from France to celebrate CND’s 50th anniversary

CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2008

Many mobilsed for The Bomb Stops Here event at Aldermaston: Rochdale and Littleborough Peace Group collected messages from the public on special cards to hang on the fence at the event and students from Kent University helped to organise a ‘walk-about’ around Canterbury carrying a ‘missile’

advertised the demo and appealed to members of the public to sign their names on the missile to register their opposition to Trident replacement. Greater Manchester & District CND organised jointly with Yorkshire CND and Merseyside CND for a colourful fourpage advertorial about CND and the demo to be published in the Big Issue in the North. Many groups were very creative in their planning for the demo with their own themes and music, especially those groups responsible each for a particular

gate such as Yorkshire CND and London Region CND. Nottingham CND members arrived dressed as Robin Hood and outlaws and Leicester CND’s chosen theme was a ‘Thomas Cooks Tour’. Throughout the year, many regions and local groups have organised their own anniversary events, often making use of the exhibition created by the LSE, which houses CND’s national archive. Adding their own local campaigning histories to the exhibition, groups have arranged for it to be shown at local libraries, town halls or art galleries. Greater Manchester & District

CND saw to it that the CND exhibition was part of an extensive, interactive Movements for Peace exhibition held in Salford Museum and Art Gallery.

Specialist sections

Many Youth & Student CND and Student CND group members took part in ‘The Bomb Stops Here’ demo. Student CND advertised it widely using new colour posters and internet social networking sites, including a special Facebook group. 5

No Trident replacement C

CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

AMPAIGNING against Britain’s nuclear weapons system and working for the scrapping of Trident has been our top priority. We continue to pursue both the reversal of the Trident replacement decision and the securing of a Nuclear Weapons Convention. The political context for this has seen improvement in some respects, as Kissinger et al have reinforced their pro-disarmament position from 2007. This has now been followed by a similar statement from former UK foreign and defence secretaries from across the political spectrum. The UK government has also made positive statements about disarmament, including offering to host a conference of the nuclear weapons states on disarmament verification. However, the government’s pursuit of Trident replacement, together with its support for US missile defence, contradicts its positive statements. During the course of 2008 we have worked to get signatories to our petition – organised jointly with Medact, with whom we work in the ICAN (International Campaign for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons) UK coalition – which highlights opposition to Trident Replacement and support for a Nuclear Weapons Convention. Our popular briefing on these themes has been widely used in street campaigning. On Hiroshima Day we were delighted to participate in an event hosted by Somerset House in London, where an outdoor screening of the iconic film Dr Strangelove was prefaced by a panel discussion with CND Chair Kate Hudson, former Foreign Secretary Lord David Owen and campaigning journalist John Pilger.

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CND groups all over the country mobilised for The Big Blockade at Aldermaston Photo: Branches

Regions CND activists from East Midlands, West Midlands, South Cheshire and North Staffs (SCANS) groups have been taking part in Trident Ploughshares-organised protests at the Rolls Royce site in Derby (where the nuclear reactors that power Trident are made), to campaign to scrap Trident and against any future replacement. There have been petitions, leafleting and legal objections against a planning application to extend and develop the site (thought to be related to Trident replacement needs) despite it being on the floodplain of the river Derwent and close to builtup areas. Monthly demos at the site have featured a Hiroshima Vigil and a circus-

themed event. An April blockade closed the site to traffic for five hours. CND members from all over the country turned up again at Aldermaston in October for a Big Blockade organised by Trident Ploughshares and backed by CND. The blockade successfully closed

Photos: Dawn Rothwell

CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2008

several of the gates for most of the morning. Groups taking part included London Region CND joining together with a Scottish group to block Tadley Gate for two hours. Not put off by having their ‘lock-on’ equipment confiscated by the police, Yorkshire CND activists resorted to using super glue for their blockade.

Specialist sections

Christian CND members braved the cold in an all-night vigil at Tadley Gate before the Aldermaston Big Blockade. Next morning they had a procession around the base and at each gate held a short ceremony under the title ‘Bell, Book and Candle’ using a liturgy based on the word and spirit of Adomnan – an ancient monk from Iona who condemened the warmongers of his day in no uncertain manner.

Action

 Sign the CND/Medact petition and get as many people as you can to do so too – you can sign online and download copies from our website or order hard copies from the CND office.

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No US Missile Defence O

CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

UR campaigning against the US Missile Defence system increased in 2008, as US plans for bases in Poland and the Czech Republic accelerated, in spite of majority opposition in both countries. We are working with campaigns across Europe, participating in conferences in Poland and the Czech Republic, and stepping up our lobbying in the European Parliament. In January we hosted the parliamentary visit of Lubomir Zaoralek, a leading MP from the Social Democratic Party of the Czech Republic, and he made a return visit in September to address a range of meetings at the Labour Party Conference in Manchester. In June Czech activists went on a hunger-strike against the siting of a radar in their country, and we joined a worldwide 24 hour hunger-strike in solidarity. The Czech hunger-strike became a rolling programme of 24 hour hungerstrikes, and many celebrities and political figures joined the protest. CND speakers have addressed conferences both in Prague and in Warsaw to cement our links with civil society campaigns in those countries. To facilitate campaigning we produced a new leaflet and Q&A sheet explaining the main issues and arguments. Also, a CNDcommissioned YouGov poll in October 2008 showed strong support for a decision on UK involvement in US Missile Defence being made in parliament, rather than by the Prime Minister, with 68% agreeing. 61% of those surveyed believing that the installation of US missile defence bases in Europe will increase the threat to UK and European security. Looking to the coming year, we are hosting a European Conference against US Missile Defence in London in January 2009, and will be welcoming politicians and activists from across Europe. We will also be aiming to make US Missile Defence a key factor in the European elections, taking place in June 2009. We will take this opportunity to combine local campaigning with lobbying and encourage both electoral hustings and actions at facilities related to the Missile Defence system. 8

Photos: (clockwise) Lubomir Zaoralek MP, from the Social Democratic Party of the Czech Republic; Pat Arrowsmith who joined the solidarity 24 hour hunger-strike; Ivona Novomestská (from the Czech Republic’s No Bases campaign) addressing the rally at Fylingdales, organised by Yorkshire CND during the Keep Space for Peace Week, October.

Action  Send one of our campaign postcards to your MP.

 See page 11 for planned actions in 2009.

No to NATO

CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2008

Regions

With the US missile defence-associated bases Fylingdales and Menwith Hill right under their noses, Yorkshire CND members have, with good reason, had another energetic year’s campaigning. To start with, in February, Lord Wallace of Saltaire, Yorkshire MPs Fabian Hamilton and Jon Trickett, and Jackie Cabasso, of the US group, United for Peace and Justice, addressed a packed public meeting at the Leeds Civic Hall. In March, Yorkshire CND organised a solidarity gathering at Menwith Hill to co-incide with demonstrations in Poland and the Czech Republic. MoD police stopped and searched the protestors as ‘suspected terrorists’. Rather than intimidate them, this behaviour by the police increased the campaigners’ resolve. In June they returned to join in with a hunger-strike, part of an international day of action to oppose US missile defence. Shifting its attention to Fylingdales as part of Keep Space for Peace Week in October, Yorkshire CND organised another protest at which the Base Commander accepted a letter from the group. Ivona Novomestská (from the Czech Republic’s No Bases campaign) joined Sarah Holtom of Leeds Students Against War and other speakers for a rally before marching up to the base.

Specialist sections

Labour CND has produced draft texts to be used by local Labour constituency parties and trade union branches in submissions to the Labour Party policy review with arguments against involvement in the US missile defence system (as well as on Trident replacement and the case for a Nuclear Weapons Convention) Student CND has prioritised campaigning against US missile defence; in June their activists joined the London vigil in support of the Czech hungerstrikers.

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HE crisis in the Caucasus in summer 2008 also led to an increase in our campaigning against the nuclear-armed NATO alliance, to which Trident is assigned. Expansion of NATO through eastern Europe to Russia continues to contribute to the danger of a new Cold War and a new nuclear arms race. The removal of US/NATO nukes from Lakenheath air base in East Anglia – the site of many of our protests – has been a positive development. But we are still working with colleagues in European antinuclear groups to secure the removal of all US nukes based in Europe under the auspices of NATO. To help develop public awareness, particularly of the nuclear role of NATO, we have produced both a new leaflet and a new briefing on the organisation. We also made a submission to the Defence Select Committee Inquiry into NATO and NATO expansion. The crisis in the Caucasus was the subject of our fringe meeting at September’s TUC Congress. The 60th anniversary of the founding of NATO is on the 4th April 2009. NATO members see this as a cause for celebration and will be meeting in Strasbourg to mark the event. Peace activists see it as a reason for protest, however, and CND has been participating in the International Coordinating Committee to organise the protest events. Both a demonstration and a counter-summit are planned. CND is

working with the Stop the War Coalition to organise transport from the UK to Strasbourg for the events. Whilst preparations have been underway for the 4th April, we have become aware that the G20 (comprising 19 of the world’s largest national economies plus the European Union) will be meeting in London on 2nd April, and that President Obama will be paying his first visit to Britain. We have agreed to work with the Stop the War Coalition to jointly organise a demonstration on that day. We will call on G20 nations to contribute to global economic stability by making progress on nuclear disarmament and ensuring troops are brought back home from Iraq. We will be inviting a wide range of organisations to join us to make the demonstration a big success involving people from all across British society. (see page 11)

Regions

Eastern Region CND activists have worked closely with the Lakenheath Action Group campaigning against the RAF Lakenheath base. In May a ‘Three Strikes and You’re Out’ demonstration emphasised three issues: ‘Strike 1’ – related to the 110 US nuclear bombs being stored there at that time (now removed) as part of NATO’s nuclear arsenal, ‘Strike 2’ – concerning planes from Lakenheath regularly bombing Iraq and Afghanistan (with munitions including cluster bombs which are widely condemned for their civilian death-toll), ‘Strike 3’ – to ensure that Lakenheath is not to be the alternative location for US Missile Defence interceptor missiles should negotiations to place them in Poland fail. Although key organisers were arrested on arrival at the ‘Three Strikes’ demo (for bail conditions lifted and then re-instated at the court’s request without them being informed), it still turned out to be a lively event. Inspired by attending the 50th anniversary Aldermaston demo, several groups mobilised for the ‘Three Strikes’ demo, including London Region CND which drew a big crowd to protest at the base. 9

Not one more death

CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

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Troops out of Iraq, Don’t attack Iran demonstration in March

HE British presence in Iraq remains, and we continue to press for full withdrawal of all British troops. To that end, we organised a national demonstration on March 15th, the 5th anniversary of the attack on Iraq, jointly with the Stop the War Coalition and the British Muslim Initiative. We continue to work with the Stop the War Coalition, the British Muslim Initiative and other organisations as appropriate, in June organising together a demonstration in protest at the visit of President Bush to London. This demonstration was marred by police brutality in dealing with protestors and as a result we complained both to the Home Office and contributed to an inquiry on ‘Policing and Protest’ by the Joint Select Committee on Human Rights. In September we organised another demonstration at the Labour Party Conference in Manchester. We do not believe that military interventions, which overwhelmingly affect innocent civilians, are the right way to deal with complex regional problems, or with anxieties about potential nuclear weapons proliferation. We support UN resolutions – over many decades – calling for a nuclear weapon-free zone in the Middle East. 10

Regions

RAF Croughton is a key US military communications hub in Europe. As such, it is an important focus of campaigning for Southern Region CND members. Kidlington CND stepped up its antimissile defencecampaigning there with two rallies in May and October. Several other groups took part in the rallies and they attracted considerable, useful local and regional media coverage The Sussex Peace Alliance (SPA) continues to maintain firm links with the Mayors for Peace in its area. Sussex has now added another town, Seaford, to Mayors for Peace; SPA took part in the official signing ceremony. The three Mayors for Peace in the region officially welcomed three SPA supporters (joined by others along the way), on their 20-mile sponsored walk to raise funds for a new Peace Memorial plaque, installed at Beachy Head. London Region CND campaigned hard to retain a Mayor for Peace in London this year. When newly-elected London Mayor Boris Johnson decided to pull out of Mayors for Peace, he faced co-ordinated lobbying and opposition. Several Mayors for Peace wrote to him, including Mayor Akiba of

Hiroshima and the three Sussex Mayors for Peace. This concerted effort helped persuade the London Mayor to re-join. South Somerset Peace Group members explored alternatives to war and how to deal with its consequences in monthly public meetings and peace vigils in local shopping centres. They held a meeting recently, titled ‘Britain at War’, which discussed the pernicious effects on British politics, culture and society of the country’s being continually at war.

Specialist sections

Labour CND’s Conference and AGM discussed the theme of war calling for ‘No More Wars – Time to change Labour’s Foreign Policy’.

No nuclear power

CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2008

Eastern Region CND protesters illustrate just how much British Energy is burying its head in the sand over the dangers of nuclear fuel

Regions

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S our government has pursued its scheme to build new nuclear power stations we have continued to produce information about the dangers of nuclear power, most notably its links with nuclear weapons. This year, our new Q & A information sheet on nuclear power was produced to explain in more detail why nuclear power is not the answer to climate change and to show the links between nuclear power and nuclear weapons proliferation. In a submission to the Strategic Siting Assessment consultation in November we made important points relating to nuclear waste storage and cancer clusters around nuclear power stations. We continue to participate in the nuclear power NGOs’ group which exchanges information and planning on this subject. We will continue to raise these issues in the year ahead.

Plans for new nuclear power stations have spurred CND groups on in their continuing opposition to nuclear power. In November, Southern Region members attended a public meeting, ‘Nuclear Power: A Threat to Security?’, organised by Abingdon Peace Group. Keith Barnham (Emeritus Professor of Physics at Imperial College and founding member of Scientists for Global Responsibility) spoke at the meeting to around 80 people. Half of the audience had come from the nearby Atomic Research Establishment at Harwell, which meant there was a very interesting discussion. Several groups participated in the government’s flawed consultation process on nuclear power including East Midlands CND. Its members have raised the regional profile of this issue with letters to local MPs and objections published in the local press. A successful public meeting arranged by Chesterfield CND was addressed by their anti-nuclear Liberal MP. At CND’s Annual Conference an East Midlands organiser held a workshop on nuclear power, at which the effects of uranium

mining on the ex-French colony Niger (a major source of uranium for the French nuclear industries) were stressed. The Niger/uranium mining issue has also been raised in parliament thanks to the group. With speakers from the Chernobyl Children’s Project and Friends of the Earth, among others, Merseyside CND’s Chernobyl Day event highlighted the dangers of nuclear power to a large audience in the St. John’s Peace Garden in Liverpool’s city centre. Sizewell nuclear power station has been the main target of Eastern Region CND’s anti-nuclear power campaigning. Members have attended stake holder meetings, community meetings and meetings organised by British Energy concerning two new reactors planned for Sizewell. Two blockades were organised at the site, and five campaigners are now taking British Energy to court over health and safety issues. The trial will take place in Lowestoft early in 2009. Expert witnesses will be giving evidence for the campaigners, for instance the independent nuclear consultants John Large and Ian Fairlie. 11

Festivals, fairs and conferences

CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

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O help get our message over as widely as possible, we have participated at a number of summer festivals this year giving out 12,000 copies of a special Festival issue of Campaign magazine. At Glastonbury, amongst other things, we organised films and workshops to raise anti-nuclear campaigning themes Elsewhere we have participated in a range of international events and conferences, including the annual Hiroshima and Nagasaki commemorative events and the European Social Forum in Malmö , Sweden, where CND coorganised events with the French peace movement and other campaigning groups with a special emphasis on the issue of nuclear-armed NATO. CND held stalls at five different trade union conferences during the year thanks to volunteers from regional groups such as GM&D CND and Merseyside CND. At the Trades Union Congress (TUC) we also held a fringe meeting with Tony Woodley, Joint General Secretary of Unite.

Getting theatrical at the CND Skills Share Day

International Women’s Day conference where they also held a stall, and at various venues throughout the year including at Hope University. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was remembered in August as always by CND and peace groups everywhere. Southern Region CND groups welcomed Peter Le Mare’s peace boat from Penzance CND (with intrepid crew) at the various ports it visited. The boat battled the seas and made it up the River Thames, mooring off London’s City Hall in time for the crew to attend the Hiroshima Day commemoration event in Tavistock Square.

Regions

CND local and regional groups ensure our presence at all kinds of festivals and fairs throughout the country: GM&D CND at Green Man, Glastonbury and the Big Chill; SCANS CND at Six Towns Festival and Stoke Gay Pride; Eastern Region CND at Shambala and Green Man East with Cambridge CND members creating a special Peace Garden at Cambridge Strawberry Fair; East Midlands CND at the Leicester Caribbean Carnival and Green Festival. Merseyside CND’s second Peace and Ecology Festival in July, this time held in the ‘bombed-out church’ St Luke’s, in Liverpool city centre, attracted hundreds of local people with information and entertainment from twenty campaigning stalls and over twenty acts, including poets, musicians and dancers. At the start of the year Merseyside CND arranged for Emily Johns’ ‘Drawing Paradise on the Axis of Evil’ exhibition to be shown at an 12

Specialist sections

Photos top to bottom: Bruce Kent in Hiroshima; Michael Meacher at the Caring for Creation conference with West Papuan musician; the stall at CWU conference; the peace boat at Eastbourne Marina

Student CND held stalls at Freshers’ Fairs across the country in Autumn. They distributed a special newsletter and stickers to increase CND’s visibility among students. Youth & Student CND joined Student CND at some of the fairs with their re-designed Disarm! magazine. The group spent the summer fundraising and campaigning at festivals with the Workers Beer Company. Christian CND (CCND) attended the Christian arts and music festival Greenbelt in August. Their own big event of the year was a conference on ‘Caring for Creation’ at Oxford Town Hall in March. Bringing together 200 people the conference was led by a panel of distinguished speakers including Michael Meacher MP. Local schools contributed to an impressive display of visual art and writing.

Events planned for 2009

CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2008

Strasbourg: CND and Stop the War Coalition are running several coaches to the NATO protests. In time for the demonstration, a coach will leave London on 3rd April at 9am and depart Strasbourg on Sunday 5th April at either 10am or 7pm. Seats cost £70, plus a £3 booking fee. Call the Stop the War Coalition on 0207 278 6694 to book. Other transport options for those wanting to join the conference may become available.

No Trident Replacement

We will be launching a new campaigning pack for use by local groups in the runup to the ‘initial gate’ report in September 2009.

Opposing US Missile Defence: European Conference against US Missile Defence Saturday, 31st January, SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), Bloomsbury, London, WC1. Join CND and our international partners for a day of discussion on missile ‘defence’ and how we oppose it in the UK, Czech Republic, Poland and elsewhere. May Month of Action and 13th June demonstration Programme of events, from talks to street stalls (materials available from CND), at the time of the European election campaign, culminating in an event to mark the anniversary of the US pulling out of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.

No to NATO Join the die-in for NATO’s victims in Afghanistan Thursday 2nd April (assemble at 11am outside Northwood tube station) CND is supporting the ‘die-in’ outside NATO’s main British base at the joint military HQ at Northwood, North West London. To potest against the attacks on wedding parties by NATO forces in Afghanistan, demonstrators will hold a wedding procession to the gates of the base, and stage a ‘die-in’. Pan-European Protest, Strasbourg 2nd-5th April In April 2009 NATO will celebrate its 60th anniversary in Strasbourg. For campaigners across Europe this is an occasion for protest not celebration. A programme of events includes a demonstration on Saturday 4th April, an international conference, and an international youth camp. Book your ticket on the coach to

Join CND in making a statement in a national paper on Saturday 4th April condemning nucleararmed NATO. See the cover slip for details.

CND Annual Conference and International meeting: Working for a successful NPT Review Conference Saturday 10th-Sunday 11th October 2009, London

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N 2009, CND national conference and AGM will incorporate an International meeting: Working for a successful NPT Review Conference, as part of our campaigning for the 2010 NPT Review Conference.

Conference gives CND members the opportunity to vote on policy and campaigns for the coming year, meet CND council members, staff and other members and to build links within the organisation. The international meeting is an added dimension and will bring together international activists to discuss progress on plans for 2010. The AGM will be held on the morning of Sunday 11th October and will include officer hustings and ballots for directly elected council membership. Venue to be confirmed – up to date information and all conference forms can be found on our website – use the drop down menu under ‘About’, which is on all pages. Registration fees (including international meeting) £10 per individual; £35 per group of delegates of CND membership organisations. Attendance at the AGM is free of charge. Key deadlines Nominations: 3rd July (directly elected) Resolutions: 13th July. Groups will receive a mailing in early April; all members will receive full details in the summer edition of Campaign.

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Scottish CND T

CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

HE year started with a conference at the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), organised by Scottish CND. Participants were roused by union leaders and MSPs, and the conference established a network of union activists which has met several times during the year. One of this group’s priorities has been to take forward the issues identified in a joint STUC/Scottish CND report on the economic impact of scrapping Trident. 50th anniversary In this 50th anniversary year, we were conscious that this should not just be a time for looking back, but also an opportunity to build our campaign for the future. We sent two buses from Scotland for the 50th anniversary demonstration at Aldermaston and in Scotland held several commemorative events, including a wellattended civic reception in Glasgow. A special anniversary issue of our magazine, Nuclear-Free Scotland, was produced and a gallery of historic photos added to our website. In November, a number of musicians joined us in Edinburgh to launch a new songbook containing songs by CND and the wider peace movement. The songbook was published to record our cultural heritage and has been so popular it has completely sold out; we are arranging a reprint.

Peace Chain Our main outdoor event was the ‘Peace Chain around Faslane’ in June. A sunny day welcomed over 500 people to the Trident nuclear base. After a colourful procession from the Peace Camp, we formed a human chain of people and banners all along the length of the fence. The event attracted good media coverage including photos of our Peace Chain in the Scottish papers. Scotland’s for Peace We continue to work as part of a wider Scotland’s for Peace network. Over recent months the network has been putting 16

Scottish CND at Aldermaston

together a People’s Budget for Peace. Numerous civic organisations and individuals have submitted suggestions on how the £4 billion a year spent on Trident and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan should instead be spent – read the suggestions at www.scotland4peace.org. Unfortunately the event to launch the Peace Budget was held on a day that saw some of the worst weather of the autumn. The outdoor event was cancelled but participants were able to retreat to a local pub and hear speeches from Bruce Kent and actor David Hayman along with music from a folk band. Scotland without nuclear weapons During the year, the Scottish government established a working group on Scotland Without Nuclear Weapons. This group is made up of representatives of Scottish organisations, including Scottish CND. We have provided assistance particularly in exploring regulatory and safety issues. The working group is also looking at the economic impact of removing nuclear weapons, international law and the Non-

Proliferation Treaty, and at how Scotland could play a role in wider peace issues. Research by Scottish CND has brought to light various issues regarding Trident from which valuable media coverage has been created. Importantly, we helped publicise the contents of an MoD manual which admits that in an accident Trident warheads on a submarine could detonate, one after the other, like popcorn. The Sunday Herald also published a story on how Britain’s new Trident replacement submarines might not be the right size for their nuclear missiles – which the US hasn’t yet designed! Scotland’s for Peace has agreed to produce a new range of postcards to be sent to MPs emphasising the costs of Trident replacement. This will be part of a wider lobbying effort in the build up to the ‘Initial Gate’ decision by the MoD on Trident Replacement due in September 2009 [The ‘Initial Gate’ is the key decision point in the design phase of the replacement development process]. We will also be highlighting NATO in its 60th anniversary year, and plan to engage in campaigning against missile defence.

CND Cymru C AMPAIGNING for nuclear disarmament – lobbying decision makers, creating and disseminating bilingual information, display and exhibition materials; strengthening networks and maintaining an accessible, on-going overview of the issues – continues across Wales. 50th anniversary celebrations generated plenty of television, radio and press interviews. CND Cymru officers took part in the CND Global Summit in London and we felt proud to be part of a CND which is presenting such a confident, intelligent, optimistic and forward–looking face.

moving into an autumn of public meetings right across the country. All events were very well attended and a boost for local CND groups.

A CND Cymru campaigning taster: Trident Lobbying and information work has highlighted the potential of the Scottish Parliament to rid Scotland of nuclear weapons. CND Cymru took part in an allScotland demonstration in March and was proud to carry the banner around Glasgow. Many from Wales took part in the Aldermaston events of April and October. St Athan Military Academy CND Cymru Chair MEP Jill Evans continued her strong and principled stand against the proposed privately-funded military training ‘academy’ (built and run by a consortium led by arms manufacturer Raytheon but which includes involvement by the Open University). Several demonstrations took place in South Wales and Jill initiated a ‘defence debate’ within Plaid Cymru which now shares power in the Welsh Assembly Government (with the Labour Party). Construction of the academy (which could become one of the world's largest military training establishments) has been delayed but plans continue. St Athan Military Academy would teach regular military skills as well as being a college for British and overseas ‘security’ and military personnel to learn ‘net-centric’ computerbased remote killing skills, probably using the hardware (and software) produced by

CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2008

the consortium of arms companies (including Raytheon and Qinetiq) running it on behalf of the MoD. All Wales Peace, Justice and Nuclear Disarmament groups around Wales are flourishing. CND Cymru has initiated, sponsored or participated in events and festivals across Wales throughout the spring and summer,

Peace Festival CND Cymru was the main sponsor of this year’s Wales Peace Festival which addressed a challenging range of issues related to justice and peace discussed by inspiring speakers from Wales, Britain and beyond. Within CND Cymru, our longest serving treasurer Jean Bryant retired and her successor is Chris Edmonson (who worked in the British CND office in the 1980s). Michael Freeman is now our Membership Secretary. 2009 looks set to be a year of economic uncertainty, resource depletion and the mounting effects of global warming – and CND Cymru will be pressing for our leaders to show true wisdom and address the root causes of violent conflict, not simply calling for ‘change’ while continuing business and industrial practices that make the world more dangerous. The establishment of a Wales Peace Institute, based on the Flemish model, is to be discussed. Watch this space. We pay tribute to our members, supporters, comrades and friends, both here in Wales, throughout Britain and the rest of the world. We are proud to work alongside you. 17

CND in the media T

CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

HIS YEAR has seen extensive coverage of both CND’s campaigning messages and of the organisation itself, with a wide range of stories covering our history and profiling our leading personalities over the past 50 years. Starting in the run-up to the 50th anniversary weekend, marked by the Global Summit for a Nuclear-Free World, CND received attention from diverse sections of the media looking at the story of anti-nuclear campaigning in Britain. Radio 4 commissioned an ‘Archive Hour’ programme which described CND’s history. The Guardian ran a full-page story on CND past and present and we received coverage in the History Today magazine, and a wide range of international media. On the day of the Global Summit, Bruce Kent appeared in the coveted 8:10 interview slot on the Today programme, as well as on Channel 4 News. Foreign news organisations from the Middle East to Japan also ran reports about the Summit. ‘The Bomb Stops Here’ demonstration at Aldermaston over Easter prompted long, positive articles in The Guardian, Independent and Metro, with even the Daily Telegraph and Financial Times reporting on the event. Our celebrity supporters gave live television interviews, whilst the event also gained coverage on international TV news networks. The coverage was overwhelmingly favourable, showing us to be a strong, active campaign. Various features have profiled activists who, involved since the founding of CND, are still campaigning today. Walter Wolfgang was the subject of an extensive interview in the Independent, Pat Arrowsmith’s activities past and present were described in both Society Guardian and the Swiss press. In addition, a series of articles covering activists north of the border was organised by Scottish CND and appeared in the Scottish papers. Special issues of both New Internationalist and Tribune magazine marked CND’s anniversary. 18

Our core campaigning messages were given coverage on the front pages of The Guardian (about the UK’s secret decision on new warheads) and Independent (concerning the right to protest at Aldermaston), with a comment by CND in a front-page story in the Mirror (on a submarine accident). We have coordinated numerous letters to the press, with many politicians and prominent figures signing statements initiated by CND. Once again, the work of local groups in getting stories in the regional media has been vital in presenting our issues within a local context. Notable was the long frontpage feature article carried in the Big Issue in the North, brought together by Yorkshire CND, Merseyside CND and Greater Manchester & District CND.

Local CND groups do an excellent job generating coverage of their events and views, and we can always provide press assistance from the CND office if needed.

Peace Education A FTER hearing the moving testimony from Hiroshima survivor Mikiso Iwasa, a teenage boy at an Essex school asked: ‘What can we do to make sure that something like this never happens again?’ Mikiso replied ‘Tell the story of the survivors. Tell your friends and tell your families. When people understand the full effects of a nuclear weapon, it will lessen the chances that they will be used again’. CND Peace Education works to help young people do just this. We present them with the facts and empower them to make their own decisions through activities and discussions. Over the past year CND peace education work has included the following: •` Launching a second edition of the Peace Education Pack at the National Union of Teachers Conference at Easter. We gave out over 200 copies of the second edition and made many useful contacts. • Creating a successful new peace education activity The Bomb Factor, which has been a hit with teachers and students alike. Ending with a vote for disarmament or the retention of nuclear weapons, so far a dozen classes have voted for disarmament! • Workshops and events across the country including a series of very moving talks in Reading and Oxford by another Hibakusha, Mr. Sato Yoshio; an event at which the Mayor of Cambridge explained to young people from the city why she joined Mayors for Peace; an event and subsequent workshops in Leicester involving nine schools at which Bruce Kent spoke to a lecture theatre full of young people. • A series of workshops and activities involving young people co-ordinated with the Movements for Peace Exhibition at Salford Museum and Art Gallery in November (in conjunction with GM&D CND, the Working Class Movement Library, the University of Salford and URBIS, the city centre museum in Manchester).

CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2008

CND’s Peace Education Worker, Anna Liddle (second from top right), at Sibford School, Oxfordshire

• Many other workshops in various schools across the country involving the Peace Education Network events that took place during National Quaker Week, paper crane making, and collecting messages of peace to take to Japan. Visit to Japan In August, I represented CND in Hiroshima and Nagasaki for the World Conference against A and H Bombs. It was a very thought-provoking and inspiring experience and I made contacts both within Japan and internationally. I plan to use these to bring recorded messages from the Hibakusha to young people in Britain. School Speakers’ Network – Get involved! We kicked off the School Speakers’ Network with a meeting to discuss a Surrey/Sussex group going into schools. Training will take place in the New Year and I hope to establish at least three or four regional groups in 2009.

If your group would like to be involved please get in touch. Individuals are welcome too – you do not have to be an active member of a local group to be a School Speaker. Full training and expenses will be provided and you will be matched with interested schools. Young people are fascinating and rewarding to work with, so volunteering as a school speaker is definitely an interesting experience. They will ask strange questions, argue with you and display real surprise at the information you present them with. It will certainly not be dull! The messages of peace written to take to Hiroshima showed just how much the students had thought about disarmament in just one hour. One girl’s message simply read: ‘No to Nuclear Weapons: This world would be fantastic without them’ If you agree, then please get involved. As Mikiso Iwasa assured the school students in Essex, the way to put a stop to nuclear weapons is to ensure more people know about their true effects.  [email protected] 19

Resources W

CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

you want to lobby your MP, get a letter in your local newspaper, or hand out useful information at a festival or street stall, CND campaigns materials help ensure you use the right arguments to influence and empower people. HETHER

No Trident replacement Current materials for this critical campaigning theme include a leaflet, briefing and Q&A information sheet. Plans are underway to produce a new postcard and to relaunch the popular petition No to Trident Replacement: Yes to a Nuclear Weapons Convention using an attractive new design. Get everyone you know to sign the petition on the CND website, hard copies can also be downloaded or ordered from the office. No US Missile Defence To campaign against UK involvement in the US Missile ‘Defence’ system you can use our leaflet, briefing, and Q&A. And make sure you send one of our postcards to your MP. NO to NATO

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A new leaflet and briefing have been produced to continue increasing awareness of the dangers of nuclear-armed NATO.

No Nuclear Power As well as explaining why nuclear power is dirty, dangerous and expensive, our new Q&A also stresses the links between nuclear power and nuclear weapons proliferation. Our leaflet summarises this information. Other materials A new publication Achieving a nuclear weapon-free world has been produced by

CND’s International Advisory Group. Other leaflets are available which give information about Hiroshima and present the case against nuclear weapons, call for

Join the letter-writing team Anni Rehin is the new co-ordinator of the CND letter-writing team. She writes: In September, Jenny Maxwell retired after many productive years of co-ordinating CND’s letterwriting team. I have taken over and will seek to ensure that a flood of letters continues to go where it can exert most influence at crucial times. With much experience of campaigning in many different ways, locally in Sussex, nationally and internationally, and having been on CND Council, I welcomed the chance to support members prepared to write to policymakers, the media and others in order to influence decisions. There is no substitute for individual letters. There are currently nearly 170 people in the letter-writing team, over half using e-mail. More are eagerly sought. I contact letter-writers with a topic, suggested by current developments and campaign priorities and include background information and possible points to make. Letters normally go out monthly (excluding April and August). In December we send cards of support to Mordechai Vanunu. (The above timetable may vary if an urgent issue comes up. Our letter-writers write when they can and when appropriate; not everyone is expected to write every time) Since I started, we have written two letters. In October we urged the Foreign Secretary to take action following the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ report Abolishing Nuclear Weapons. In November we wrote demanding that, in the light of the dire financial situation, the government postpone all plans for Trident replacement, with a view to eventual cancellation. To join our team, please contact Kate at [email protected], or call the national office, indicating whether you want to receive information by email or post. Please join us. The more letters we write, the more influence we’ll have! Anni Rehin

CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2008 scrapping our current Trident system, and generally describe CND’s work. CND briefings, Q&As and reports can be downloaded from the Information pages of our website. Leaflets and postcards can be ordered from our online webshop. Alternatively call the CND office on 020 7700 2393.

e campaig n campaign for nuclear

disarmament

Keep up to date! CND’s e-campaign bulletins For the most up-to date details about CND actions sign up to our regular email bulletins by entering your email address on our website home page (right hand box at the top). Campaign magazine With opinion pieces, news updates, and details about CND activities, keep informed by subscribing to CND’s Campaign magazine. All members receive the Summer edition. You can also subscribe to the Spring and Autumn issues by emailing [email protected] Be political Strategic political lobbying is vital to our campaigning. For keen lobbyists, CND’s regular Lobby newsletter supplies important points to make when lobbying your MP. To subscribe please email [email protected] or call the CND office

on 020 7700 2393.

CND personnel Officers Chair: Kate Hudson Vice-Chairs: Jeremy Corbyn MP, Sophie Bolt, Dave Webb Treasurer: Linda Hugl CND National Council Directly elected Pat Allen, Daniel Blaney, Kate Charteris (resigned November 08, see staff list below), Jenny Clegg, Tom Cuthbert, Sue Davis, Kelvin Hopkins MP, Peter Leary, Gawain Little, Caroline Lucas MEP, Vijay Mehta, Pat Sanchez, Rae Street, Jim Taggart, Carol Turner Nations, Regions and Areas CND Cymru: John Cox, David Bradley, Jill Gough Scottish CND: Adam Beese, Janet Fenton, Lisa Paton Cumbria & N. Lancs: Chris Prettyman East Midlands: Ian Cohen, Richard Johnson Gtr Manchester: Joan Abrams Kent Area: Marilyn Sansom London Region: Isobel McHarg, Jim Brann, Nicholas Russell Merseyside: Gina Shaw Southern Region: Graham Allen, Michael Waugh South Cheshire & N. Staffs: Jason Hill South West Region: Peter Le Mare, Tom Milburn, Tony Staunton Sussex Peace Alliance: Christine Coulouris West Midlands CND: Sandra Gardner Yorkshire CND: Helen John, Miriam Moss, Dave Webb Specialist sections Christian CND: Bob Russell Labour CND: Joy Hurcombe Student CND: Fiona Edwards Youth and Student CND: Catherine Crick, Brendan Lee, Joanne Stevenson Vice-Presidents Pat Arrowsmith, Tony Benn, John Cox, Joan Horrocks, Bruce Kent, Alistair Mackie, Paul Oestreicher, Walter Wolfgang

Staff and volunteers Staff at Holloway Road Sam Akaki: Parliamentary Officer Joy Annegarn: Membership, Finance Kate Charteris: Membership and Database Officer (from Nov 08) Eve Cuthbert: Finance and Network Manager Ben Folley: Campaigns Officer Sue Longbottom: Designer Mell Harrison: Regional Campaigns Worker Davinder Kaur: Campaigns Officer (until Sept 08) Anna Liddle: Peace Education Officer Jon Nott: Fundraiser (until March 08) Dawn Rothwell: Campaigns Officer (Research and Information) Rebecca Sage: Office Manager Ben Soffa: Press Officer Katy West: Membership and Database Systems Officer (until Oct 08) Many thanks and good luck to Jon Nott, Davinder Kaur and Katy West National and Regional staff CND Cymru: Jill Gough Scottish CND: John Ainslie Gtr Manchester CND: Jacqui Burke, Doug Weir London Region CND: David Polden Yorkshire CND: Sarah Cartin, Denise Craghill, Hannah Tweddell (maternity cover from August 08) Other regional offices are run by volunteers Specialist sections Christian CND: Claire Poyner (part-time). Other specialist sections are run by volunteers from home. Volunteers at Holloway Road Humay Alekberova, Pat Allen, Pat Arrowsmith, Jim Brann, Kitty Cooper, Sue Davis, Dave Esbester, Tamas Foldvari, Camila Garces-Bovett, Sas Joyce, Bruce Levy, Gina Mackenzie, Eileen Maclean, Stuart Minto, Luba Mumford, Mary Ogbogoh, Becky Ridgewell, Rosemary Rogers, Annette Russell, Ellen Sheffield, Stuart Stephenson, Andrea Szilagyi, Jean Taylor, Jim Thomas, Ian Triggs, Tim Wardle, Tony Watkins, Frank Wood, Muriel Wood, James Wright Interns Roderick Cobley, Miriam Cragg

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Support us

CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

C

CND Direct Debit ND successfully launched its Direct Debit scheme in 2007. Already over £50,000 of our income in 2009 will be by Direct Debit! This flexible and secure payment method allows you to choose the amount you give and the frequency, while providing protection via the Direct Debit guarantee. At the same time, CND benefits because Direct Debit payments cut our administrative costs and allow us to invest more in the future of the Campaign. You can set up a Direct Debit on our website or use the form on the inside front cover. Please note that a Direct Debit will not cancel any standing orders you may have with CND and you will need to cancel these with your bank. CND membership rates £24 Waged individual £8 Concessionary

Merchandise A new range of limited-edition merchandise to mark CND’s 50th anniversary was launched this year. It proved to be extremely popular, particularly at Easter, when many CND supporters wore the new ‘Bomb Stops Here’ t-shirts when surrounding AWE Aldermaston. We still have a limited stock of these t-shirts and other special 50th anniversary items, so please order soon to avoid disappointment! Our core range of t-shirts and badges is also still selling well, and many members help raise awareness by wearing them. Other attractive new merchandise items include our Snowflake Christmas card, and the blue CND Logo Flag which made its first appearance at Glastonbury festival.We are delighted to have recently acquired some vintage ‘Against the Bomb’ badges, which we have now added to our range. Varieties include Cat Lovers, Musicians, Bird Watchers, Ageing Hippies, Truckers and many more! These badges are strictly 22

Two popular CND t-shirts

The new CND flag on show at Glastonbury

limited, so order soon.. All of our merchandise can be bought from the CND website shop or call the office on 020 7700 2393 to place your order. Legacies Money generously pledged to CND by supporters in their wills continues to enable us to respond to government plans for a new generation of nuclear weapons by employing extra staff and

CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2008

running national newspaper advertising campaigns at crucial times. See our website for more details about leaving a legacy to CND, or we can send you a copy of our information pack A Legacy for Peace: email [email protected] or phone 020 7700 2393 and ask for Eve. If inheritance tax is payable on any legacy CND receives, we are able to vary part of the legacy in favour of The Nuclear Education Trust (NET). Nuclear Education Trust NET was registered as a charity in March 2007. Its objectives are ‘to advance education by promoting the study and understanding of, and research into, arms control and disarmament, defence and security, with an emphasis on nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.’ NET’s Trustees include the CND Chair, Treasurer and one CND Council member. CND has varied two significant legacies in favour of NET, which has then been able to recover over £200,000 of paid inheritance tax. In 2008, NET granted over £50,000 towards CND peace education work, a similar amount will be granted in 2009. NET provided £30,000 towards CND’s highly successful Global Summit held in February 2008. NET has also funded CND staff to research for the preparation of briefings accessible to the general public on the technical aspects of nuclear weapons including the replacement of Trident and US Missile Defence plans. The London School of Economics’ (LSE) project, based on digitised material from CND archives, to create a

touring and online exhibition, was initially funded by NET. Combining CND’s administrative records with posters, leaflets and photographs, LSE will, with their own funds, continue to promote accessibility and use of the archive among researchers and the general public with the aim of providing a broad understanding of the peace movement’s impact since 1958. 23

Autonomous campaigns

CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

I

CND supports and gives grants to the work of the following autonomous campaigns: Aldermaston Women’s Peace Camp(aign)

N 2008 we opposed planning applications for continuing AWE expansion; helped organise the big Easter demo, joined in the October blockade with a successful tripod action and made a film about the camp. All against a backdrop of resisting and challenging the new military byelaws. The ‘knickers to the bye-laws’ challenge Because the byelaws now assert that it is unlawful to camp and have a ‘bonfire’ next to the Aldermaston fence the police continue to harass and wrongfully arrest us. The Tadley roundabout was even widened so that our camp space became a road! Our achievement is in persisting, asserting our rights, and maintaining a camp space that allows women to protest. In February, High Court judges agreed to our application for a judicial review of the byelaws and struck off the clause that forbade tying things to the fence. We are to appeal in the High Court over the camping ban. Camping in protest In bringing this appeal we have to explain why camping is a ‘form of protest’ rather than simply a ‘place to rest for the night’. Firstly, camping is intrinsic to the identity of the campaign: our tents, vehicles, banners and camp fire make our campaign visible. Secondly, ‘bearing witness’ is an important form of protest. AWPC has ‘borne witness’ to the crime of developing and maintaining weapons of mass destruction for one weekend a month for over 23 years, never missing a month and camping in the cold, rain and wind. When evicted from one place we set up camp in another. In bearing witness we can visibly protest when nuclear convoys arrive or leave the site, often at night. Thirdly, camping is vital 24

for practical reasons: it allows women from all regions and of all ages to take part. Camp as women’s space Lastly, we have taken MOD land and made a women’s space; a space where we give and get support, which sustains, inspires and strengthens us. Visit us at camp for a few hours or for the weekend (2nd weekend of every month) – we need support and more women to be involved.  www.aldermaston.net

Campaign Against Depleted Uranium (CADU)

Doug Weir reports: 2008 has been another incredibly hectic year for CADU, largely because, in addition to working for CADU, I also coordinate the International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons (ICBUW). The year began with some weasel words from the UK government like ‘We believe that DU is a legitimate weapon and the use of it is not prohibited under any international agreements, including the Geneva Conventions’ in response to December 2007’s landslide resolution at the UN General Assembly. This resolution highlighted health concerns over uranium weapons and called for a moratorium until long-term studies are completed. The UK’s position was brought into sharp relief this March when the MoD began test-firing depleted uranium weapons again at Dundrennan on the Solway Firth. In the uproar that followed it also emerged that the UK’s ammunition is going out of date, in more ways than one. In April, CADU lobbied UN delegations in Geneva and advised MEPs on the text of a new uranium weapons resolution. In May I observed the

culmination of the Oslo Process on cluster munitions in Dublin and, later that month, 94% of MEPs voted in favour of our resolution calling for a uranium weapons treaty. In September CADU moved into a new office and was joined by Quaker Peaceworker Dave Cullen. A month later we were in New York persuading states to back the new resolution on uranium weapons. I came back via Beijing to speak on DU at the Asia Europe People’s Forum-7. In November the new resolution was passed by the UN First Committee by 126 votes, with only four against, after Norway, Iceland, Finland and the Netherlands added their support: support that would not have come about without strong domestic campaigning from committed activists. By the time you read this, the resolution should have been passed by the UN General Assembly and there will be a real momentum for a ban on the use of uranium in all conventional weapons.  www.cadu.org.uk

Nukewatch Nuclear weapons convoys on the road Road transport of nuclear warheads was reduced significantly in 2008 owing to serious faults with the ’Gravel Gertie’ Warhead Assembly /Disassembly facilities at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Burghfield site. 1,000 safety shortfalls combined with devastating floods at the AWE Burghfield and Aldermaston sites in 2007 resulted in live warhead work (assembly and disassembly of the warheads) being stopped there until April 2008. Even then, warhead work

CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2008 pack at www.nukewatch.org.uk/film/ or call 0141 416 3161  www.nukewatch.org.uk

Trident Ploughshares (TP)

The coming year will be crammed with opportunities for non-violent direct action to make its contribution to the anti-Trident campaign

was only allowed by the nuclear regulators if a separate application was made for each operation. The infrequency of convoys made our Burghfield-watching even more time consuming, and contacting people along the routes more difficult. Nukewatch citizen-verification data confirmed the reduced warhead activity at AWE. Asking questions Parliamentary questions have raised convoy issues in parliament and helped keep the MoD accountable. We discovered that new dual-purpose convoy trucks are to come into service in 2009. Apart from warheads, the new vehicles will transport Special Nuclear Materials (SNM). Freedom of Information questions have also been useful confirming that warhead servicing to replace tritium gas bottles and neutron triggers is carried out at Coulport and that the MoD is making efforts to bring AWE into line and manage the convoys better.

Publicity Nukewatch reached a wide audience in 2008 with stories about the convoys appearing in the national and local press. We also had a feature in the New Internationalist ‘Nuclear Bomb’ May issue and an ad in a magazine for Party Conference delegates. Our major project in 2008 was showing the Nukewatch film ‘Deadly Cargo’ (produced in cooperation with professional filmmakers, Camcorder Guerillas) to as many people as possible. First trailed at CND’s Global Summit and the Beyond TV film festival in Swansea, it was then launched in Glasgow and Oxford. Showings at Glastonbury and other festivals followed with an exhibition and distribution of 30,000 full-colour flyers. In October CND Vice Chair Jeremy Corbyn MP hosted a showing at the House of Commons. Organise your own showing of the film by ordering the DVD and action

Yes We Can! There is a leitmotif running through our activities this year – the persistence that pays off in the face of difficulty, doubts and knock-backs. Can we really manage an effective blockade of the Trident-supporting Rolls Royce unit in Derby, in the face of very proactive policing? The ‘Yes we can’ answer was there in April as the main gate was closed for a whole morning. Can we really choke up Aldermaston, with its many entrances? Witness BlockAWE, on the 27th October, which, as Ray Davies, long-time activist put it, ‘exceeded our wildest expectations’ with its diverse and adventurous blockaders. Have we the energy to keep going back to Lockheed Martin HQ, the gates of Devonport or Fylingdales, or Faslane, and make constructive and peaceful nuisances of ourselves? Definitely! Most of these events have a slow, laborious and even tricky gestation. We value in-your-face authenticity but still much of the art is concealed: the art of developing and maintaining affinity groups and of forming ad-hoc groups for a particular action; the unglamorous art of weaving the underpinning fabric of logistical, welfare, legal and media support for the bigger events; the art of taking our training seriously and of scrutinising our non-violence practice; the art of keeping it all going through the subsequent criminal justice journey. The coming year will be crammed with opportunities for non-violent direct action to make its contribution to the antiTrident campaign. In Scotland, in spite of a parliament that is mostly on our side, we need to challenge as well as negotiate. More generally, there are huge possibilities amid global crisis and change.  www.tridentploughshares.org

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Contacts

CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

Regional activity is essential in getting our message heard. Contact your nearest group to find out how you can get involved. Regions and areas Cumbria & N Lancs CND 34 Trafalgar Street, Denton, Carlisle CA2 5XY tel: 01539 723020 East Midlands CND 43 Cobden Road Chesterfield S40 4TD tel: 01246 235723 [email protected] Eastern Region CND The Flint House, Dunburgh Rd, Geldeston, Beccles NR34 0LL 0845 337 0282 [email protected] www.easterncnduk.org Kent Area CND 78 Priory Hill, Dover CT17 0AD; tel: 01304 225078 [email protected] London Region CND Mordechai Vanunu House 162 Holloway Road London N7 8DQ tel: 020 7607 2302 [email protected] Gtr Manchester & District CND Bridge 5 Mill, 22a Beswick St, Ancoats Manchester M4 7HR tel: 0161 273 8283 fax: 0161 273 8293 [email protected] www.gmdcnd.org.uk Merseyside CND 50-54 Mount Pleasant Liverpool L3 5SD tel: 0151 702 6974 [email protected] www.mcnd.org.uk

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Mid Somerset CND 12 Neales Way Evercreech, Shepton Mallet Somerset BA4 6LA tel/fax: 01749 830 741 [email protected]

West Midlands CND 54 Allison Street Birmingham B5 5TH tel: 0121 643 4617 [email protected] www.wmcnd.org.uk

Norwich CND Forge Bungalow The Street, Stotesham Norwich NR15 1YL tel: 01508 550446 [email protected]

Yorkshire CND 2 Ashgrove Bradford BD7 1BN tel: 01274 730 795 [email protected] www.yorkshirecnd.org.uk

Southern Region CND Flat 12, Eliot House 483 Portsmouth Road Southampton SO17 2TH tel: 023 8032 8335 South Cheshire & North Staffs CND PO Box 2127 Stoke on Trent ST1 1WZ tel: 01782 280 998 www.scanscnd.org.uk South West Region CND Regent House, Week St Mary, Holsworthy, EX22 6UJ tel: 01288 341254 [email protected] Surrey Peace Action Network 83 Reigate Road, Reigate RH2 7JH tel: 01737 771007 [email protected] Sussex Peace Alliance 67 Summerheath Rd Hailsham BN27 3DR tel: 01323 844 269 [email protected] Tyne & Wear CND 1 Rectory Avenue, Gosforth Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 1XS tel: 0191 285 7260 [email protected]. co.uk

National offices CND Cymru Y Drain Gwynion, Heol yr Eglwys, Talywaun Pontypool NP4 7EF tel: 0845 313 8414 [email protected] www.cndcymru.org Scottish CND 15 Barrland Street Glasgow G41 1QH tel: 0141 423 1222 fax: 0141 423 1231 [email protected] www.banthebomb.org Irish CND P.O. Box 6327, Dublin 6, Eire tel/fax: 00 353 1 872311944 [email protected] http://indigo.ie/~goodwill/ icnd.html

Specialist sections Christian CND Mordechai Vanunu House 162 Holloway Road London N7 8DQ tel: 020 7700 4200 fax: 020 7700 2357 [email protected]

Parliamentary CND Mordechai Vanunu House 162 Holloway Road London N7 8DQ tel: 020 7700 2393 fax: 020 7700 2357 [email protected] Labour CND 11 Pembury Road Worthing BN14 7DN [email protected] www.labourcnd.org.uk Student CND 99 Barber Road, Sheffield S10 EB tel: 07900 922 [email protected] Youth & Student CND Mordechai Vanunu House 162 Holloway Road London N7 8DQ tel: 0207 700 2393 [email protected]

Peace Camps Aldermaston Women’s Peace Camp tel: 07969 739 812 [email protected] www.aldermaston.net Faslane Peace Camp Permanent. A814, Shandon, Helensburgh Dumbartonshire G84 8NT tel: 01436 820901 [email protected] Menwith Hill Women’s Peace Camp Contact Yorkshire CND for details.

CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2008 Abingdon Peace Group 01235 526 265 [email protected] Bath CND 01225 312 574 [email protected] Bedford CND [email protected] Birkenhead CND 0151 677 6896 Blackpool & Fylde CND 01253 899742 [email protected] Brentwood CND 01277 216 712 [email protected] Bristol & West Region CND 0117 9714112 [email protected] Bromley & Beckenham CND 020 8460 1295 Buxton Against War 01298 27042 [email protected] Central Manchester CND 0161 969 1724 Cheltenham CND 01242 577671 [email protected] Chesterfield CND 01629 580852 [email protected] Chippenham CND 01249 651565 Coventry Peace House 02476 663031 Crawley CND 01293 542853 East Lancashire CND 01254 887017 [email protected]. org.uk East Surrey CND 020 8668 3090 Enfield Peace Campaign 020 8364 2606 Exeter CND 01392 431447 [email protected] Faringdon Peace Group 01367 710308 Greenwich & Lewisham CND 020 8857 1095 [email protected]

Hackney & Islington CND 020 8533 5838 [email protected] Hall Green CND 0121 778 2672 Haringey CND 0207 607 2302 [email protected] Headingley & Kirkstall CND [email protected] Hemel Hempstead CND 01442 230 285 Hereford Peace Council 01432 342 623 [email protected] Horsham Peace Alliance 01403 251 276 [email protected] Huyton CND [email protected] Isle of Wight CND 01983 855 359 [email protected] Kettering CND 01536 743994 [email protected] Kings Lynn and District CND 01553 761447 Kingsbridge Peace Group 01548 550344 [email protected] Kingston Peace Council/CND [email protected] Labour Action for Peace 07788 725 188 [email protected] Lancaster District CND 01524 33991 [email protected] Leicester CND 01162 705604 [email protected] Lewes and District CND 01273 473912 [email protected] Lewisham & Greenwich CND 020 8857 1095 [email protected] Littleborough & Rochdale Peace Group 01706 370 712 [email protected]

Lutterworth CND 07870 218148 Maghull & Lydiate CND 0151 526 7293 Maidenhead & Cookham CND 0151 5267293 Marple & District CND 0161 427 1191 Medway CND [email protected] Mid-Herts Peace Group 01707 331643 [email protected] Mitcham CND 020 8648 9037 Musicians Against Nuclear Arms (MANA) 0208 455 1030 [email protected] North Cumbria CND 01228 524351 Northumbrians For Peace 01434 604747 northumbrians_for_peace@hot mail.co.uk Nottingham CND [email protected] Orpington CND 01689 837 848 [email protected] Oxford CND 01865 242919 Penzance CND 01736 787056 [email protected] Peterborough CND 01733 390695 Plymouth CND 01752 318625 Prestwich & Whitefield CND 0161 798 6565 Quaker Peace & Social Witness 020 7663 1067 [email protected] Reigate & Redhill CND 01737 771007 reigateandredhillcnd@hotmail. co.uk Rickmansworth & Chorleywood CND 01923 777754 Rochdale & Littleborough Peace Group 01706 370 712 [email protected]

Saddleworth Peace Movement 01457 876013 saddleworthpeacemovement @hotmail.co.uk Saffron Walden Peace Group 01799 527449 Salford CND 0161 793 5122 [email protected] Salisbury CND 01722 321865 Sevenoaks CND 01959 522165 Sheffield CND 01142 967 596 [email protected] South Somerset Peace Group 01460 67368 [email protected] Southampton CND 02380 229 363 Southend & District CND 01702 558682 [email protected] St Albans CND 01727 863 911 [email protected] Sydenham & Forest Hill CND 020 8699 8597 Tavistock Peace Action Group [email protected] 01822 615960 Tower Hamlets CND 020 7515 4681 [email protected] Wallasey CND 0151 638 4666 Waltham Forest CND 020 8523 0574 Watford CND 01923 249 551 [email protected] Waveney CND 01986 896189 West London CND 020 8743 4189 [email protected] Wimbledon Disarmament Coalition 020 8673 3600 [email protected] Woking Action for Peace 01483 768 228

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