25 March 2003
Prisoners of War in Court

Supporters will gather outside Gloucester Crown Court with banners and a huge B-52 placard at 9.50 a.m. on Tuesday 25 March. They are supporting two peace activists, Philip Pritchard and Toby Olditch, who set out to disarm a B-52 bomber at RAF Fairford on 18th March [1]. This is the first Crown Court hearing since being charged with criminal damage offences [2]. The hearing starts at 10.00 a.m. This court hearing is expected to set a date for a trial, possibly in September.

Jenny Stanton, who will be outside court supporting the activists said: "We only wish Toby and Phil could have grounded a B-52, or preferably all 14 of them. I remember B-52s carpet-bombing Vietnam. Nowadays the bombs are supposedly smart, but the people in charge are just as dumb. This war is illegal - Bush and Blair should be on trial. I cannot bear the thought of these bombers using a green and pleasant corner of my country to take off, each one carrying a 70,000 lb payload to drop on Iraq. Shock and awe? Yes, it is shocking, and it's awful."

Editors Notes

[1] In the early hours of Tuesday March 18 the two peace activists were arrested as they attached photographic images of Iraqi people labeled "collateral damage?" to the fence, planting white poppies, a symbol of peace and sowing seeds to represent life.  The activists were on their way to hammer on the B-52 bomb bay doors and engines to prevent the bomber taking off and dropping bombs. They carried warning signs to warn that the aircraft should not be operated, a banner, and personnel statements. Similar 'ploughshares' actions have taken place elsewhere in the UK, see http://www.tridentploughshares.org Such actions are non-violent and activists are accountable for their actions, waiting to explain their action to bomber pilots and military service personnel.

[2] The two peace activists, Phillip Pritchard, 32, and Toby Olditch, 34 are represented by Steve Young and Partners. They were charged at Cheltenham. Magistrates Court on 19 March 2003 with conspiracy to cause criminal damage, going equipped to cause criminal damage, and aggravated trespass. Bail was refused and they are remanded to HMP Gloucester. Phillip Pritchard is a carpenter and education worker, Toby Olditch is a marketing executive, both are Oxford residents.

Picture Editors Notes

Twenty to thirty supporters with large banners and placards will be outside Gloucester Crown Court at 9.50 a.m. Photographs of the two activists are available for use via email without charge.