HUNDREDS of demonstrators formed a human chain to protest at a nuclear submarine base yesterday.
Organisers said about 500 people took part in the demonstration at the Faslane Naval Base on the Clyde. It coincided with the 40th anniversary of the first nuclear submarine patrol from the base.
It also came one year after a vote in the Scottish
Parliament against the replacement of the Trident weapons system.
Campaigners, many with banners, formed a human chain measuring about 2,000 metres long alongside the base's fence.
John Ainslie, the coordinator of Scottish CND, said people came from all over the country to take part.
He said: "This shows that, 40 years on from the first nuclear submarine patrol from Faslane, this is still an issue people feel strongly about."
Scottish CND chairman Dr Alan Mackinnon said: "Recent revelations have shown that the cost of maintaining and upgrading Britain's Trident submarine force is escalating year by year. Next year it will be £2bn.
"At a time of rising food and fuel prices, below-inflation wage settlements and a looming economic recession, most Scots want that money to be spent to improve the lives of ordinary people."
Some MSPs took part in yesterday's protest, with SNP MSP Bill Kidd, Labour's Marlyn Glen and Green MSP Robin Harper all making speeches at the start of the event.
Double Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson also sent a message of support to the demonstrators.
She said: "The insanity and havoc wrought by war has recently been well demonstrated by the UK Government. I hope it makes the insanity and potential havoc of nuclear weaponry crystal clear."
Scottish actor Gerard Kelly, who has appeared in Extras and Ae Fond Kiss, also sent a message to show his support.
Kidd, a Glasgow MSP, said: "After 40 years of weapons of mass destruction in the midst of perhaps the most populated area of Scotland, they remain unloved and unwanted by our people and our parliamentarians."
The full article contains 338 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
