Invitation for trial festival | ||
| Invitation to support and celebrate and Hope & Resictance Festival On Tuesday 7th February 2006 eight international peace gardeners will appear before Newbury Magistrates Court for creating a garden gate and planting vines and fig trees inside the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston on 5th August 2005: On the eve of the 60th anniversary of the bombings of the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we come to the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston, UK, to plant vines and fig trees. "They shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. Instead, everyone shall sit underneath their vine and fig tree and none shall make them afraid." (Micah 4:3) Disarmament, economic conversion and nonviolence are vital ingredients for creating a just world in which everyone enjoys the earth's abundance. In these fearful, suspicious times, we invite people all around the world to transform military bases into gardens of peace in which beauty and life shall flourish. The Vine and Fig Tree Planters: Sr Susan Clarkson (England), Orla Cunningham (Ireland), Stephen Hancock (England), Per Herngren (Sweden), Mike Hutchinson (England), Barbara Smedema (Netherlands), Treena Lenthall (Australia), Martin Smedjeback (Sweden), Thomas Helgeson (Sweden), Les Gibbons (England), Lizzie Jones (England) You are warmly invited to support the Aldermaston Vine and Fig Tree Planters. Here are some ways of getting involved:
Begins Tuesday 7th February at 9.30am. Might last till Friday. Could finish Wednesday. Phone first. Newbury Magistrates Court (Mill Lane, Newbury, Berks., RG14 5QT, tel 01189 552600) is very near the railway station and town centre. The rhythm of the court days is thus: Travel from Oxford to Newbury; Gather outside court at 9am for tea and coffee and chat (bring thermoses and snacks); Attend court together – there will be room inside for members of the public; Share lunch (bring food and drink to share); Attend court again; Reflect, chat, plan and befriend in Newbury (venue and times to be announced); Return to Oxford for further food, friendship, reflecting, planning, rest, unrest, dancing etc (venues tba). Everyone is welcome! The more the merrier… As part of our ongoing experiment in "post-protest resistance" (see our web pages for more discussion) supporters are asked to avoid protesting and the protest mentality, and to instead to "be the change you want to see"! Feel free to discuss and evaluate this experiment during the week.
We especially need drivers and vehicles for the trip between Oxford and Newbury. Swedish gardeners are planning an Easter pilgrimage and action in April ( We really appreciate them. As with nonviolent resistance, every little helps… Cheques payable to "Swords into Ploughshares" and sent to address below. Many thanks. Offers of press work, artistry, organising, cooking, music, fund-raising, etc welcome. Love, figs, grapes and thanks, Vine and Fig Tree Planters, c/o 29 Maidcroft Road, Oxford OX4 3EN, UK; Landline: +44 (0)1865 775532; Mobile 07885 499721 (or 07766 904547)
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Editor: Treena Lenthall, Web slave: Per Herngren
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