The defendants - Dr Margaret Jones and Paul Milling
Supporters outside the court
Margaret Jones should not be persecuted for trying to save lives
Blessed are the peace-makers
Support Dr Margaret Jones’ work for peace
The greatest mistake is to do nothing because you can only do a little
Better to light one candle than to curse the darkness
Iraq war not in our name
Support the Fairford disarmers + good quote from Martin Luther King
Celebrate non-violence
Depleted uranium penetrators found in Basrah, 2004
100,000+ Iraqis murdered by us
Bombing civilians in an illegal war is criminal, preventing it is not
Liberation?
£5.5 billion tax stolen by Blair, spent on war
When the war ends the killing has just begun
They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning ho
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any
The legacy of aggressive foreign policy
The supporters were a diverse lot, from elderly Quakers to dreadlocked anarchists, and the Red Notes Choir were present and in fine voice as always. A multitude of placards and banners made it clear to passing members of the public why we were there.
I was able to sit in the packed public gallery for the morning session, at which the jury was sworn in and the prosecution began to put their case. Meanwhile quite a few supporters maintained their vigil outside for most of the day.
The trial is expected to last for two weeks, and supporters are welcome on all days of the trial, either outside to maintain the vigil, or in the public gallery to hear the evidence. The court is expected to be in session from 10:30am to 1pm, then from around 2pm to 4:30pm, although this is flexible, subject to convenient breaks in the proceedings. Map: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=358790&Y=173075&A=Y&Z=1
I hope to submit a more detailed report tomorrow, and with a bit of luck some video footage as well. In the mean time, an archive of stories related to this case can be found at http://www.bristol.indymedia.org/newswire.php?story_id=25208
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Update from Margaret Jones
09.09.2006 16:15
Simon.
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This week we had all the drama and strain of the trial, with marvellous support from all the people who picketed, sang, made posters and placards, and came to sit in court and hear the evidence.
THANK YOU so much to all of you - and to our witnesses - and our dedicated legal team. If we get found guilty at the end of it all, it will certainly not be for lack of effort or support on anyone's part.
Testimony from those who were in Baghdad before and during the bombing of March 2003 - particularly of Wejdy and Uzma - was harrowing. Paul and I found it hard even to listen to, at times. It clearly moved the jury.
Rae McGrath spoke at length about cluster bombs, and the injuries and death they sow at random. He also identified what could be seen in Dave Cockcroft's photos taken at RAF Fairford in the days before the war, and confirmed that anti-personnel cluster weapons were indeed loaded onto the B -52 bombers.
Jo Wilding spoke to the absence of any military in civilian areas that were heavily bombed. Helen Asea told of the panicking queues at the bus stations, where refugees were being charged astronomical sums to get in shared taxis to leave Baghdad before the bombing. Felicity Arbuthnot gave similar testimony, and told of the destruction of Iraq's water supply.
We have no idea how the jury, overall, will decide the case. At present they seem fairly divided. Our lawyers and the judge will sum up the legal issues for the jury, starting on Monday (Sept. 11th.)
We expect a verdict on Tuesday the 12th, OR the morning of Wed. the 13th. Will let people know, nearer the time, which is more likely ... .
We'll keep in touch. Thank you for taking an interest.
All best wishes -
Monica (Margaret)
Simon