Vine & Fig Tree Planter in prison

August 2005, I spent two days in the same jail as Lizzie for planting vines and fig trees at the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston, UK. She is the first one of us going to prison for our planting.

This is from Indymedia, UK

Southampton vine & fig tree planter Jailed

Gregor Samsa | 19.09.2006 23:11

Activist jailed by Reading Magistrates' Court.

Reading, Berkshire. Tuesday 19th Sept 2006

Southampton-based artist and peace campaigner Lizzie Jones was today jailed by Reading Magistrates' Court.

In August 2005, Lizzie had taken part in a symbolic planting of vines and fig trees (see Micah 4:3 - part of the "swords into ploughshears" chapter) inside the grounds of the AWE, Aldermaston, and was subsequently ordered to pay £201 compensation to the Ministry of Defence for criminal damage to the wire fence.

Lizzie has refused to pay the MoD on principle, but had written and offered to pay "in kind", namely by offering her artistic services by painting a mural or decorating a room at the Establishment. However, the MoD had not replied.

The Court obviously did not find this acceptable, and as a result of her courageous refusal to pay, jailed Lizzie for seven days. It is hoped she will be free by the week-end.

Photos and the background story:

http://ickevald.net/vineandfigtreeplanters/

Les Gibbons reflection:

'PORRIDGE TIME'. for Lizzie Jones - Planter Artist

Planter Les Hoppstubbe Mor | 19.09.2006 23:24

Vine and Fig Planter sent to Prison after having 'art to art' with magistrates - 19th September 2006

on 29th August 2006 – Reading Magistrates Court
2 Vine and Fig (Post Protest) Planters risked a rainy day at Reading Magistrates Court ton 29th August to initiate changes they wanted to occur and so avert the payment of a compensation claim at AWE Weapons Establishment Aldermaston. Painter Planter L said she would not pay the compensatee on matter of principle, though added that being accountable was also on her agenda and that she wanted instead to offer the MOD / AWE Aldermaston staff alternative options to the non negotiable desire they had for payment in monies. The fines officer after friendly banter agreed to write to the compensatee (the MOD) and offer the listed alternatives for the money they were told that they would not be getting. The very real options made were to offer AWE Aldermaston staff / MOD staff an invitation to view [as special guests] an art exhibition which contained a large painting of the 2005 Vine and Fig tree planting intervention, to complete a commission for AWE Aldermaston of fruit trees or to gift to AWE Aldermaston a cushion for their quiet room ofr contemplation / reflection.

TODAY (19/09/2006) SHE RETURNED TO FIND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE ministry of the fence (MOD) or the Atomic Weapons Aldermaston in the allotted period for them to respond. TODAY SHE REINSTATED TO THE COURT THAT SHE WOULD NOT PAY THE COMPENSATION MONIES. LIZZIE HIGHLIGHTED THE ALTERNATIAVES SHE WANTED TO OFFER (see above) - THE COURT RECOGNISING THAT SHE WANTED TO PAY IN KIND art, DID NOT TAKE IT KINDLY TO HEART & DECIDED TO GIVE HER A 7 day holiday break in HMP BRONZEFIELD, MIDDLESEX.

PLANTER ARTIST L WAS PREPARED FOR THIS AND HAD BELEIVED IT WAS HINTED ABOUT BY HER BREAKFAST THAT MORNING - FUNNY HOW BREAKFAST IS A GOOD TIME TO FACE YOUR FEARS - 'FREEDOM TASTES GOOD LIKE PORRIDGE'. She had a good book with her to take to court.

THERE IS NEVER A GOOD TIME TO GO TO PRISON, BEST TIMES ARE WHEN YOU ALREADY FEEL FREE, THAT INNER GLOWING WARMTH INSIDE THAT SAYS ALOUD - 'PORRIDGE TIME'.

PAINTER PLANTER L - A real 'prisoner of love' IS THE FIRST VINE AND FIG PLANTER TO BE IMPRISONED POST THE 2005 SENTENCING OF 9 NONVIOLENT CALM INTERVENTIONISTS FOR INITIATING A PEACE GARDEN AT AWE ALDERMASTON ON THE 60 ANNIVERSARY OF HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI.

SEE HER ART

Liz Jones' piece, 'vine and fig tree planting', comes from the planting August 2005 at Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston. The public are encouraged to kneel on the kneeling cushions and look through the police evidence albums. A prophecy was lived out in the action as it was brought into being. The art tells the story, broadens the audience and explores resonances around the action.

NB: In proactive resistance change is initiated by the nonviolent calm interventionist, it is not left to the state or to institutions to decide, dominant narratives are replaced by creative live giving alternatives which make for change to happen. Planter painter L took it upon herself to be freed up, to be at Reading magistrates’ court to deal with the compensation claim being made by the MOD and bailiffs - she needed holiday too.

Create your own narrative for wholeness, initiate the change you want to see.

Planter Les Hoppstubbe Mor