Campaigners hold peace vigil at military HQ

Sixteen members of the Catholic Worker movement aged between 49 to 83, held a prayer vigil outside the main entrance of Northwood Military Headquarters on the Feast of the Holy Innocents (28 December).

Scott and Maria Albrecht, Henrietta Cullinan, John Lynes and Rachel Wood pitched tents, knelt and prayed in front of the main gate for two hours while others held signs.

One tent displayed the words: 'The Prince of Peace pitched his tent among us' John 1:14. Another sign said: 'War is not a Solution' which is a direct message from the Young Afghan Peace Volunteers and another quoted conscientious objector Private Bradley Manning: 'Exposing the true nature of 21st Century asymmetrical Warfare'. A banner stating: 'Occupy Northwood HQ not Afghanistan' was hung on the fence.

The gate remained closed for the duration of the occupation. A spokesman said the demonstration was making the link between the killing of the children by King Herod and the killing of the innocents in war today, specifically in Afghanistan, by those in power.

Northwood HQ is the command and control centre for British forces in Afghanistan, all joint forces and NATO operations abroad.

A Catholic Worker spokesman pointed out that Northwood HQ has recently undergone a £1.2 billion building project. He said: "these funds could have otherwise benefited the community."

A group statement said: "At a time when government cuts are affecting innocent children, pensioners, teachers, the sick and refugees the last thing we need to be doing is to continue spending billions on warfare. Human lives are the deepest cost. The government complains about a few tents occupying a small square outside St Paul's cathedral while we've sent thousands of soldiers to occupy other people's countries and destroy their lives. This government needs to get its priorities right".