Plane Sitters Had Pamphlet

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30107, 16 April 1963, Page 11

Plane Sitters Had Pamphlet

(N .Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright/ DUSSELDORF, April 15.

Forty-eight British nuclear disarmers left by air for home last night after more than 50 hours under police guard in a charter aircraft, in which they had been “sitting it out” under virtual lock and key since Friday.

The demonstrators, in turn had refused to fasten their safety belts to allow the pilot to take off They wa. ,ed permission for a group of West Germar nuclear disarmers to fly with them to Britain.

Their plane took oft today after seven German nuclear disarmers were given this permission. The Termans plan io take part in the Aldermaston march, which ends in London today

The departure was dramatic A few minutes before take-off one of the leaders of the British group thrust open a door and fell flat on the ground Four German policemen picked him up and stuffed him back into the plane. A girl in white overalls tried to iepeat the manoeuvre. but was forced into the plane and the door was flung shut. The plane was then towed from the hangar Four frontier police pushed against each of the two rear exits to prevent more "escapes” A ring of police stood around the plane as the pilot revved his engines. Only- as the plane began to move did

the police release their hold on the rear doors A riot truck crammed with police, roared after the plane as it taxied to the end of the runway. A police car carrying two office-s also accompanied the plane Earlier a spokesman for 'he demonstrators announced it had been a majority decision to return, “but once made it was unanimously supported "

Squads of airport and civil police mustered at Gatwick airport in Surrey for the plane's arrival An elderly woman, waving a sheaf of white flowers over her head led the demonstrators into the terminal There were no incidents

A spokesman. Mr Brian McGee' aged 21. said the group would join the Aidermaston marchers at their meeting today Asked about the ‘Spies for Peace” pamphlet. Mr McGee sad: “I think there were about a dozen copies circulating at Dusseldorf airport at one time Most of them were given to our German friends, and one was given to the British Consul who saw us.”