Title:CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT (CND) DEMONSTRATION AT PORTON DOWN, 1968 [Allocated Title]
Film Number:DED 262
Other titles:PORTON DOWN NON-NITRATE COLLECTION [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: Members of CND and affiliated organisations gather outside the Porton Down complex to demonstrate against its work. Unlike previous years' demonstrations, this appears to be more organised, and a small camp is set up.
Description: Groups of demonstrators start to gather near the tubular steel traffic barrier/gate, carrying banners and flags: "Kent Anarchists", "Bournemouth Anarchists", "Vigil for Life". Camera captures the protesters as they gather by the fence. Many react by mocking gestures including two-fingered "salutes"; one notices the camera, grins and tries to hide behind a flag. (A cameraman - newsreel? - can also be seen on the other side of the road.) Placard: "Put Porton under Ministry of Health". Protesters get in and out of vehicles; police from the local constabulary keep a watchful eye. A flag of protest is raised on a flagpole. Out on the road, a group of demonstrators walks towards the gate, most of them cover their faces. Tents are erected, and a small camp is set up. One couple gives their small children placards reading "Let Me Live!" and "Stop the Germs"; their mother encourages them to walk towards the camera. A group of demonstrators, at least one of whom is black, stand and sit near the fence; the protest is very relaxed. One of the protesters has a Heinkel "bubble car". Cooked meals are distributed. Group (with banner) from the Southampton Area Peace Action Committee. Several cameramen take photographs. Demonstrators stand and gather round for speeches as a clergyman addresses them (there is a distinct Christian presence here, with several people carrying large wooden crosses). Two protesters try to go under the gate, but are swiftly apprehended; one sprinkles some liquid (bleach?) on the ground. Another protester walks around the fence with an aerosol to "freshen" the area; many of those present applaud him. The clergyman continues to address the crowd, after which they all hold hands and walk around the gate area. Some of them break from the line and, like the lone protester above, use aerosols and bottles of bleach/detergent in a symbolic "cleansing" of the area. They then lie down and pretend to be dead. Afterwards, they disperse without incident.
Alternative Title:PORTON DOWN NON-NITRATE COLLECTION [Allocated Series Title]
