Message from Chris's wife:
"Chris was jailed today [19 Jan] for 30 days for non-payment of a fine relating to a protest at the DSEI arms far in 2009. Details below. He has been sent to Wandsworth Prison. Heathfield Road ,Wandsworth, London SW18 3HS,020 8588 4000. I don’t have a prison number yet, but will send one out when I do."
"Chris was jailed today [19 Jan] for 30 days for non-payment of a fine relating to a protest at the DSEI arms far in 2009. Details below. He has been sent to Wandsworth Prison. Heathfield Road ,Wandsworth, London SW18 3HS,020 8588 4000. I don’t have a prison number yet, but will send one out when I do."
Chris (left) with fellow citizen disarmers in September 2010
Chris has written pre-prison reflections on his website here:
http://www.figtree.org.uk
This includes a link to Facebook which has video footage of his action.
Press Release 19 Jan 2011
Christian Peace Activist Imprisoned for Arms Protest
For immediate release
Christian peace activist Chris Cole, 47, from Oxford was today imprisoned for 30 days at Westminster Central Magistrates Court for non-payment of a fine following a protest at the opening event of the DSEI arms fair in September 2009. Cole had sprayed ‘Build Peace Not War Machines’ and “Stop this Bloody Business” across the entrance to the QEII conference centre in central London .
According to a publicity brochure for the event, the UK Defence Conference would be attended by senior officials from the arms industry, the military and the UK government in order “to explore the business opportunities” to be found in responses “to global security threats such as climate change, major population movements, growing water scarcity, competition for energy sources and the continued rise of Islamism.”
Defending himself in court Cole said “The arms industry is pushing military solutions to human security threats that in reality need political and humanitarian responses not more weaponry. If we want to be a nation that is committed to building peace and defending the poor, we need to address underlying causes of injustice and not promote the ideology of ‘might is right’.
At the original trial in October 2009 Cole was found guilty and ordered to pay £1,545.00 in compensation and £350 in court costs.
This is the fifth time that Cole has been sentenced to imprisonment for nonviolent civil disobedience.
ENDS
Further details from Virginia Moffatt 01865 775001 / 07706 667266
http://www.figtree.org.uk This includes a link to Facebook which has video footage of his action.
Press Release 19 Jan 2011
Christian Peace Activist Imprisoned for Arms Protest
For immediate release
Christian peace activist Chris Cole, 47, from Oxford was today imprisoned for 30 days at Westminster Central Magistrates Court for non-payment of a fine following a protest at the opening event of the DSEI arms fair in September 2009. Cole had sprayed ‘Build Peace Not War Machines’ and “Stop this Bloody Business” across the entrance to the QEII conference centre in central London .
According to a publicity brochure for the event, the UK Defence Conference would be attended by senior officials from the arms industry, the military and the UK government in order “to explore the business opportunities” to be found in responses “to global security threats such as climate change, major population movements, growing water scarcity, competition for energy sources and the continued rise of Islamism.”
Defending himself in court Cole said “The arms industry is pushing military solutions to human security threats that in reality need political and humanitarian responses not more weaponry. If we want to be a nation that is committed to building peace and defending the poor, we need to address underlying causes of injustice and not promote the ideology of ‘might is right’.
At the original trial in October 2009 Cole was found guilty and ordered to pay £1,545.00 in compensation and £350 in court costs.
This is the fifth time that Cole has been sentenced to imprisonment for nonviolent civil disobedience.
ENDS
Further details from Virginia Moffatt 01865 775001 / 07706 667266
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