Peace pensioner Irene jailed again
Trident Ploughshares Media | 17.08.2009 15:14 | Anti-militarism | Iraq
Peace and environmental activist and Trident Ploughshares member Irene Willis, 64, originally from Essex but now living in Tregaron, Wales was released from jail last Wednesday, August 12th after serving 10 days of a 20 day sentence at HMP Eastwood in Bristol for non-payment of fines totalling £638 imposed for her part in nonviolent protests against nuclear weapons and the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon between 2006-8.
Irene blockades Devonport submarine base, Aug 08 - Photo: S. Lasenby
Irene understands that the fines related to blockades at Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment, the Labour party conference in Bournemouth and possibly an action against cluster bombs at USAF Lakenheath during Israel’s attacks on Lebanon in 2006.
The custodial sentence was passed down reluctantly on Monday, August 3rd by magistrates in Aberystwyth, Wales who, according to Irene, “didn’t know what to do with her.” Whilst in custody, Irene, who has been incarcerated on previous occasions for non-payment of fines resulting from her peace and environmental protests, also had to deal with the tragic news of her mother’s sudden passing from a stroke. She also fasted between 6-9 August in memory of the victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Irene’s local paper, the Cambrian News, reported that she was jailed for “mainly motoring offences”, despite the fact that she hasn’t driven for 15 to 20 years. The paper has, however, promised to print an apology after Irene complained.
The custodial sentence was passed down reluctantly on Monday, August 3rd by magistrates in Aberystwyth, Wales who, according to Irene, “didn’t know what to do with her.” Whilst in custody, Irene, who has been incarcerated on previous occasions for non-payment of fines resulting from her peace and environmental protests, also had to deal with the tragic news of her mother’s sudden passing from a stroke. She also fasted between 6-9 August in memory of the victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Irene’s local paper, the Cambrian News, reported that she was jailed for “mainly motoring offences”, despite the fact that she hasn’t driven for 15 to 20 years. The paper has, however, promised to print an apology after Irene complained.
Trident Ploughshares Media
e-mail:
tridentp.media [at] yahoo.co.uk
Homepage:
http://www.tridentploughshares.org
Comments
Display the following 10 comments