INTERNATIONAL PROTEST AGAINST STAR WARS CONTINUES

15 July 2001

Vandenberg Airforce Base: Fifteen Greenpeace activists from around the world are still in custody after their action which delayed the Star Wars missile test at Vandenberg Airforce Base in California yesterday.

Four swimmers, from the U.S. and the UK, were taken into custody after they surfed on boogie boards onto the beach at the base. A further 11 members of four boat crews, including two divers, were arrested by the FBI, after the boats entered the missile launch exclusion zone. A videographer and photographer were also detained, as well as a driver, despite only being independent witnesses to the action. The U.S authorities have so far refused to give details of any charges or the location of the detainees. The activists forced the base commander to delay the test for forty minutes while they were pursued in the exclusion zone by two coastguard vessels, a navy vessel and a helicopter. The missile was subsequently launched while the activists were still in the danger zone. The nationalities of those arrested are: UK, US, German, Swedish, Indian, Australian and Canadian.

In the Marshall Islands, where the "kill vehicle" was launched, islanders held a Peace Picnic as they watched the firing. Greenpeace activist, Richard Leney, who had organised the gathering of 60 people, could not be there as he too had been arrested, on Thursday, after spending two months in a tent peacefully observing the preparations for the launch. The US and Marshall Island authorities both admit he was legally camping on the island of Ebwaj. "The US authorities are attempting to suppress legitimate, peaceful protest against Star Wars. But we will continue to take action at every opportunity until this programme is stopped," said Greenpeace International Disarmament campaigner, William Peden. " George Bush has made it clear he will force through this programme, despite the fact that it will prompt a new nuclear arms race. He is prepared to not only abuse individual rights to peaceful protest, but the international right to a peaceful, nuclear free future," Peden added.

Activists from Greenpeace Greece mounted a protest outside the American embassy in Athens following the test, displaying banners saying Stop Star Wars.

Further protests are planned when George Bush visits Europe next week. A Greenpeace ship is also currently sailing to a US radar base in Greenland, which would be vital to the functioning of the Star Wars programme.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Sara Holden, Greenpeace International media officer at Vandenberg: +1 805 291 1749
William Peden, Greenpeace International disarmament campaigner at Vandenberg: +1 202 285 9130
Greenpeace media centre, Lompoc California +1 805 740 1430

For more information of the Greenpeace Stop Star Wars campaign visit www.stopstarwars.org