Retrial for Bread Not Bombs

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On Sunday evening October 10th. over 70 peace activists from Australia, Sweden, Ghana, Sierra Leone, East Timor, Scotland, Ireland, England, Wales, Slovakia, Netherlands, United States, Germany and Japan joined Bread Not Bombs Ploughshares defendants Annika Spalde and Stellan Vinthagen in a Celebration of Hope in Preston, England. Folks were entertained by Elvis impersonator Carmen Trotta from the New York Catholic Worker, the Amazing Martin a professional circus performer from Germany, Bernadette Murphy folk singer from Manchester and Gertrude from Ghana.

Annika and Stellan have returned for retrial in Preston folowing their September '98 ploughshares action on Vengeance, the fourth British Trident then under construction at VSEL shipyards in Barrow-on-Furness. Along with co-defendant Ann-Britt Sternfeldt they were held in prison on remand for 6 months before being released by a hung jury at the conclusion of their first trial last May on charges of "conspiracy to cause criminal damage" to Trident.

On monday Oct 11th. a speak-out was held at University of Central Lancashire attracting 35 people The gathering heard from Yuko a Japanes Buddhist nun from Milton Keynes temple of the Nipponzon Myohoji order, Carmen Trotta singing Phil Ochs and reflecting on the U.S. war machine, Rowan Tilly from the Seeds of Hope Ploughshares community that had disarmed the British Aerospace Hawk in 1996 and were acquitted by a Liverpool jury, Ciaron O'Reilly from the Jabiluka Ploughshares, a Bertlocht Brecht poem from Martin and reflections from Stellan Vinthagen. During the day the Amazing Martin and Elvis put on shows at a local high school where Annika Spalde was presented and the issues surrounding the trial were raised.

On Tuesday 13th. carmen Trotta gave a faith based reflection at St. Wilfreds church on his life working at the New York Catholic Worker and the faithbased resistance movement in the U.S.

On the preceeding weekend ploughshares activists from Sweden, Britain and the U.S. and Australia met for intenseive discussions and reflection.

On Wenesday Oct. 14th. Yuko led 20 ploughshares in a single file procession through the town centre to court. A circle was formed outside the court where the dead of nuclear weapons, production, testing and use were remembered. Followed by a reflection by Stellan Vinthagen and song.

The Bread Not Bombs legal team is served by Gareth Pierce who worked successfully for the "Guilford 4" and the "Seeds of Hope Ploughshares". The barrister for Annika is Stephen Kamlish from London. The trial began with Judge Openshaw accepting the Absence of Ann-Britt on the basis of a doctors letter and reference to the Attorney Generals response to issues of International Law on nuclear weapons raised at the original trial. The government also has a second barrister in the wings prepared to argue the case on international law. The defence team may also call on a specialist barrister to argue these legal issues. It is significant that the Judge has acknowledged that issues of International Law lie at the centre of this trial. There has been a mobilisation in both legal teams around these issues.

The Judge granted an adjournment until Friday morning for the trial to begin.

Each morning will begin with a cup of tea at 8.30 a.m. at St. Wilfreds Church Hall Chapel St., a procession to court at 9 a.m. and a circle of reflection at the court at 9.30. A vigil and a court rota of access to the limited public gallery space (16) are then established.

Accomadation in Preston is available but you must give notice of specific needs calling Ciaron on 07930-961842.

Mailing address: Ploughshares c/- Xaverians 179 Ribbleton Ave. Preston PR2 6AA