| HOME |
| ABOUT LAG |
| EVENTS | NEWS |
| NONVIOLENCE GUIDELINES |
| US MILITARY IN EAST ANGLIA |
| MERCHANDISING |
| TRANSPORT |
| LINKS |
| CONTACT US |
|
Lakenheath Action Group
|
News
Lakenheath Terrorist Charge Ridicules New Laws
Eight non-violent peace activists have been charged at Mildenhall police station under anti-terrorist laws, SOCPA 128 as a result of an action last October, when the activists entered USAF Lakenheath nuclear base and chained themselves to secure the gates of a munitions storage area to stop the movement of cluster bombs.
(more news...)
Anti-nuclear campaigners locked-on to munitions gate at USAF Lakenheath
Early this morning, eight anti-nuclear campaigners locked-on to the gate of the amunitions area in USAF Lakenheath in Suffolk. Three of the eight campaigners are local - Mell Harrison from Bungay, who is the co-ordinator of Eastern Region CND, Lesley Grahame from Norwich and Pete Lux from Norwich.
(more news...)
Report on the latest demonstration on 25th September
The day was fair almost to the end; over 45 people
came, a good turnout given that there were several
competing events on the weekend, and it was good to
see many old friends and (hearteningly) some new ones.
(more news...)
Text of letter to Brigadier General Steel, Commanding
Officer, 48th Fighter Wing, U.S.A.F, Lakenheath
(read the letter...)
|
Irene Willis sentenced to 21 days in prison
|
|
The Peace Makers Ball, 4th July 2004, USAF Lakenheath and USAF Feltwell 80 people attended a carnivalesque "Independence FROM America Day" celebration at Lakenheath and Feltwell.
|
"Fall out Fairies" found guilty, appeal pending
Four East Anglian peace activists were found guilty on Wednesday 26th May of criminal damage to the perimeter fence of RAF/USAF Lakenheath. They had cut a hole in order to gain access to the base and and carry out a weapons inspection, to get photographic evidence of the nuclear weapons facilities in October 2003.
(more news...)
April 5th 2004: Possible withdrawal of some US nuclear weapons from Europe
The United States is currently considering significant changes to the US forces based in Europe. There are strong indications that some of the US nuclear weapons in Europe, including those based at Lakenheath, may be withdrawn.
(more news...)
|
20th March: Vigil at USAF Mildenhall
|
|
18th January: Reclaim the bases at USAF Lakenheath, Mildenhall and Feltwell
|
8th January: USAF Lakenheath plane drops accidentally drops bomb on farm land
It has been announced that an F15 plane, of the type used to carry nuclear weapons at USAF Lakenheath, accidentally dropped a small unarmed bomb during a training flight over Yorkshire.
(more news, from the BBC...)
5th January: Opposition to Lakenheath base will continue, despite guilty verdicts.
Seven peace activists who took part in nonviolent direct actions at USAF Lakenheath in the week before the start of the war on Iraq have been found guilty of aggravated trespass and criminal damage. However, the activists were effectively let off, as District Judge Kevin Gray chose not to ask the defendants for costs or to fine them but gave each one a 12 month conditional discharge.
(more...)
6th December: People power at Friends meeting House in Diss
Over 80 people packed into the Friends Meeting House in Diss on Thursday 4th December and after soup and rolls on a cold night, they heard three renowned Peace Activists fit their experiences into the context of the present world crisis.
The Public Meeting on "War, Peace and Terrorism" was arranged jointly by Norwich Stop the War Coalition, Norwich CND, Lakenheath Action Group and the Diss Peace Group.
(more...)
5th December: Lakenheath activists verdict delayed
The verdict in the trial of the 7 Lakenheath protesters has been postponed until a date in January yet to be determined.
Judge Gray was to have given his judgement on Thursday 4th December at 11 a.m., but the defendants were informed that this will not happen.
30th November: Lakenheath activists have their defence restricted
Defendants in the ongoing trial regarding anti-nuclear and anti-war actions at Lakenheath airbase have had their defence retricted by the Judge who ruled that these matters were not within his jurisdiction. A summary of these legals arguments are provided here.
(more...)
22nd November: Lakenheath activists on trial from 24th November
7 Norfolk peace campaigners who entered U.S.A.F. Lakenheath last March
in protest against the impending war on Iraq and the presence of nuclear bombs
on the base face trial on Monday 24th November, at 10 a.m. at Mildenhall Magistrates Court.
(more...)
10th October: Peace activists appear in court for trespass at Lakenheath
Five local peace activists appeared at Bury St. Edmunds Magistrates Court, following Monday’s action at USAF Lakenheath. Four were jointly charged with criminal damage, for cutting the perimeter fence of the base, another was charged with intention to cause criminal damage.
(more...)
6th October: Peace activists arrested inside Lakenheath nuclear base
Groups of international and local peace activists cut through the perimeter fence of USAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, to draw attention to the illegal nuclear weapons that are deployed there.
(more...)
(photographs of the inspection action and demonstration...)
5th October: 100 demonstrate against illegal nukes
100 people gathered at USAF Lakenheath in Suffolk to protest against the presence of US nuclear weapons at the base.
'Independence FROM America Day' 4th July 2003
The Peace Makers Ball
(more...)
Monday 3rd February 2003
Another successful action
Six arrested as Lakenheath shut down,
(more..., Indymedia report)
7th October 2002
160 people, one water tower, nine incursions and three arrests:
no nukes - no war action judged a success
(more...)
6th October 2002
no nukes - no war action at Lakenheath.
(more...)
Terrorist Charge Ridicules New Laws
Eight non-violent peace activists have been charged at Mildenhall police station under anti-terrorist laws, SOCPA 128 as a result of an action last October, when the activists entered USAF Lakenheath nuclear base and chained themselves to secure the gates of a munitions storage area to stop the movement of cluster bombs.
Mell Harrison, from Eastern Region CND, one of the accused says:
“Eight non-violent peace activists trying to uphold humanitarian and international law are virtually being labeled as terrorists. Will using the law in this way give it any credibility at all?”
USAF Lakenheath is the only place in the UK that the US
stores nuclear weapons. Up to 110 B-61 free fall nuclear
bombs are stored at the base at any time.
This means the bombs are flown in and out of the UK
regularly. In the recent White Paper on Trident
Replacement the government states that the storage of
such weapons is not safe. Why is it then that the US
are allowed to store such unsafe weapons of mass
destruction here in Suffolk. The base also stores
cluster bombs and other munitions.
Fellow accused activist Peter Lux adds: “The cluster bombs seen inside the munitions area are indiscriminate weapons. The bomblets kill and maim innocent people everyday in Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan.”
Mell Harrison 35, Irene Willis 61, Lesley Anderson 24, Lesley Graham 47, Richard Rushmer 37, Pete Lux, Margaret Moss, and Emma Bateman will be appearing in court at Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk on 6th February at 11.30am.
Further Info
0845 337 0282
lakenheath8@dsl.pipex.com
Anti-nuclear campaigners locked-on to munitions gate at USAF Lakenheath
Early this morning, eight anti-nuclear campaigners locked-on to the gate of the amunitions area in USAF Lakenheath in Suffolk. Three of the eight campaigners are local - Mell Harrison from Bungay, who is the co-ordinator of Eastern Region CND, Lesley Grahame from Norwich and Pete Lux from Norwich. The motto on the plaque outside USAF Lakenheath is 48th Fighter, The Liberty Wing, RAF Lakenheath,- "Ensuring Freedom's Future" and Mell Harrison today told the military personnel who are prevented by the lock-on from entering the Amunitions Area, " by preventing access to these weapons, we are securing freedom's future". The lock-on is likely to continue for some time today.
The protest follows yesterday's successful demonstration at the base when over 200 anti-nuclear campaigners gathered to protest against the 110 nuclear weapons kept on the base at any one time. Simultaneous protests were taking place at bases across Europe yesterday and David Higgin - a founder member of the Lakenheath Action Group which jointly organised yesterday's demonstration - read out messages of support from France, Belgium, Germany and Turkey. The campaigners were addressed by Bruce Kent, vice-Chair of National CND, by Kate Hudson, Chair of National CND and by Jeremy Corbyn M.P. (who had cycled from ELY to take part in the protest.)
In his speech called for the removal of all nuclear bases as they were a relic of the cold war and we must move on from that mind-set. Jeremy Corbyn MP , said that there was no moral cause that would condone the possession of nuclear weapons .He said that they have failed to buy us international influence and cited the achievements of Nelson Mandela - who had brought about the peaceful end of aparteid in his country and the renunciation of nuclear weapons - and all without a single nuclear weapon.
He went on to say, "We are here today so as not to be part of the silent acceptance of nuclear weapons - we are hear today to stand up and speak for all those who do not think that nuclear weapons make for a safer world. We are here to say No to nuclear and Yes to Peace".
Kate Hudson, CND Chair, spoke passionately of the need to protest against the replacement and upgrading of the Trident Nuclear Submarine's weapons system and called for a full public debate on the issue.
Torrential rain, hail, and thunder and lightening did little to curb the enthusiastic response of the campaigners who vowed to continue their protests - in agreement with the CND slogan "Now more than Ever"
Text of letter to Brigadier General Steel, Commanding Officer, 48th Fighter Wing, U.S.A.F, Lakenheath
Dear General Steel,
We are here today to show our support for the demand for the withdrawal of the nuclear bombs deployed at this base.
This year the facts about these bombs have become clearer, with the publication of "U.S. Nuclear Weapons in Europe" by the Natural Resources Defense Council in Washington D.C. This well-researched report's figures have been widely accepted: an estimated 480 B61 bombs at 8 bases in Britain, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Turkey, which includes an estimated 110 at Lakenheath. The movement for withdrawal has accelerated in the year since this report came out: both houses of the Belgian Parliament have passed resolutions called for the removal of all U.S. nuclear weapons from Europe; there is support in Germany and France to put the issue on the NATO agenda, and a new, non-governmental organisation, Nukes-out-of-Europe, has been formed. The Russian Defence Minister, Sergei Ivanov, said in June this year that Russia will not negotiate on the reduction of tactical nuclear weapons until all U.S. nuclear bombs are removed from Europe.
We want you to be aware of the great concern in this region about the presence of B61s here. Not only are they under NATO auspices, which means that they could be used under NATO's "first strike" policy (i.e. against non-nuclear attack and non-nuclear weapons states), they are an ever-presdent source of accidents which could cause devastating consequences. Exercise "Dimming Sun", held not far from here two years ago, demonstrated that U.S. and U.K. authorities believe that an accident involving planes carrying nuclear weapons could well occur again.
We ask you to consider that the B61s here are a great impediment to tactical nuclear disarmament, a risk to the area, and a means to military action that is illegal under international law. We ask you to convey our concerns and our opposition to the U.S. Government.
We will continue to make U.S.A.F. Lakenheath a focus for protest, in company with all other national and international organisations and individuals working for and desiring a nuclear-world.
Davida Higgin, on behalf of Lakenheath Action Group
LAKENHEATH: report on the latest demonstration on 25th September
The day was fair almost to the end; over 45 people came, a good turnout given that there were several competing events on the weekend, and it was good to see many old friends and (hearteningly) some new ones.
Theatre of War gave us a lively, witty and stimulating new production; our special guest George Farebrother, of the World Court Project, spoke about and distributed the WCP Affirmations, which individuals can sign to "affirm" that nuclear weapons do not provide security (a very pertinent statement at the gates of Lakenheath). As on previous occasions, we welcomed Hertford and Hitchin Quakers, who had organised a Meeting as part of our programme.
We held our B61 bomb placards along the verge to let the passing public know about the WMD deployed inside the base. Quite a few hooted to support us. A letter to the Commanding Officer, Brigadier General Steel, was read out and handed in; the text is reprinted below. We closed with a 2-minute silent vigil lining up across the entrance way to the base while the police stopped all traffic. Altogether an enjoyable and purposeful day.
If you haven't already signed the World Court Project
affirmation, please do!
You can sign online at: www.abolition2000.org/affirmation
Lobbying postcard on the NPT and Mutual Defence Agreement
With the NPT Review coming up fast, CND, Trident Ploughshares, Lakenheath
Action Group and Theatre of War have produced some postcards to send to
MP'S.
We have 10,000 of these and they have already begun to be sent out.
Would you be interested in us sending you some? Do you have a mail out you
could put them in? an action planned? or just want a few to give out?
They are free and have a picture of the Trident submarine blockade at
Downing Street on the front.
The text on the reverse reads:
Dear (MP)
I call on Parliament to review the Government's record on nuclear
disarmament. Under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the UK has
to eliminate its nuclear weapons but instead it is:
These are all recognised as policies likely to escalate the drive towards acquisition of WMD. I would like to see Parliament intervene to reverse proliferation policies.
Name .................. Signed ............
Address ........................................
To order copies of the postcard, please contact thepeaceforce@theatreofwar.org.
Irene Willis sentenced to 21 days in Edmunds Hill prison
Irene was part of the group of women that entered USAF Lakenheath last October with a camera to gather information on the illegal free fall nuclear bombs inside the base.
She was charged with criminal damage and given a 3 year conditional discharge and costs.
Irene decided that she would not pay the massive £500 costs and when she went to court for non-payment of fines the Judge sentenced her to 21 days in prison.
She was released on 27th August.
The Peace Makers Ball, 4th July 2004
USAF Lakenheath and USAF Feltwell
Well it was quite obvious that Independence from America is high on the ‘want’ list of anyone with a social conscience.
Around 80 people arrived at USAF Lakenheath dressed in Ball gowns, tux’s, as peace pearlies, big corporations and other strange outfits to show that most of us here in the UK, and around the world want freedom, from the greedy, aggressive American foreign policies we have forced upon us by dangerous and powerful people.
The evening was full of fantastic cabaret acts that had travelled long distances to be there. M1 Music’s La Magnifiq gave us some political rapping. The Peace Pearlies sang traditional songs with new words and all had great outfits full of pearl buttons. Norwich Stop The War gave us some street theatre "The hand over of power-To what?". Fiddle, vocal and guitar dance folk music by Robert and two lovely ladies. Solo guitar and vocals by Seth. Poetry by Graham, read so passionately that a police officer asked me to calm him down!! I left him to it! Ken from Red Flag solo guitar. Kate Hudson [CND] spoke about the dangers of the American Policies, Nuclear weapons and the US Bases. Davida read out the "Declaration of Independence from America" but had to stop due to crazy rain fall. Some more street theatre from Theatre of War "The Nuke fashion Show" with Stephane from Swervy World playing sax effects.
Make cakes not War, had a delicious tea and cake stall as usual and kept us all going.
Thank’s to all who came and helped and performed and danced and smiled and leafleted. Martin and Helen did a great job of helping the police redirect the traffic to another gate by saying "The reason they shut this gate was because they don’t want you to have this information" and handing them a leaflet. Nice job Pearlies!
Same time next year?!
"Fall out Fairies" found guilty, appeal pending
Four East Anglian peace activists were found guilty on Wednesday 26th May of criminal damage to the perimeter fence of RAF/USAF Lakenheath. They had cut a hole in order to gain access to the base and and carry out a weapons inspection, to get photographic evidence of the nuclear weapons facilities in October 2003.
Jennifer Berry (65), Katie Cooke (35), Mell Harrison (33), and Irene Willis (59) were given a three year conditional discharge, and ordered to pay a total of £2000 costs. The judge said that they were misguided, and presumed that all activities on the base were legal, and that the military could not break the law. He made it clear that he was doing all in his power to try to prevent them from taking further actions, and said he had considered imposing an Anti Social Behaviour Order.
The four women, the Fallout Fairies, were surprised by the severity of the sentence. “We believe the truth of the matter is that the authorities know that the presence of US nuclear weapons in Suffolk would be extremely unpopular and therefore prefer to keep up the charade.
This is about democracy and contempt for democracy by those in power. It’s not that we have not tried to ask for information on the US nukes in side RAF Lakenheath before, We have written to the base,reported the illegal B-61’s to the police, our MP’s, our PM and protested outside the base many times. But even our MP’s are not allowed to know what happens inside this U.S base in Suffolk.”
It is believed that the judge may have misdirected himself in law, and a possible appeal to a higher court is pending.
All the defendants have had long experience as peace and anti-nuclear Campaigners.
They presented documentary evidence for the presence of nuclear bombs at Lakenheath, and insisted that these bombs are illegal under British and international law. "They are illegal under the Geneva Conventions because of the widespread devastation they cause," said Ms. Harrison. "They cannot discriminate between military and civilian targets. They are disproportionately destructive of life and property. They cause toxic contamination for generations. "
Their action was intended to expose and report a crime to the public and to the authorities, with the ultimate purpose of getting the bombs removed from Britain. They also argued that the presence of the bombs is very dangerous even if they are not used in anger, because of the possibility of accidents (which could release deadly plutonium) and terrorist attack. "The bombs at Lakenheath make the base and the area a prime target," said Ms. Willis "The U.S.and British authorities maintain secrecy about the nuclear bombs at Lakenheath, and many of the public have no idea that they are there." The U.S. has declared its intention to use nuclear weapons against attacks by non-nuclear states using conventional, biological or chemical weapons, and the list of target states includes Syria. "It was the crisis caused by the Israeli bombing of Syria on October 5th which was the "final prompt" for our action," said Ms. Cooke. "We feared that the U.S. could deploy Lakenheath nuclear bombs against Syria if she retaliated against the Israeli attack."
After the conclusion of the trial, the defendants declared their readiness
to continue campaigning against nuclear weapons at Lakenheath and headed
straight to the base to gather more information !!
(about the action on 6th October...)
Possible withdrawal of US nuclear weapons from Europe
The United States is currently considering significant changes to the US forces based in Europe. There are strong indications that some of the US nuclear weapons in Europe, including those based at Lakenheath, may be withdrawn. The following story appeared on the NATO website:
Gen. Jones’ remarks, in a testimony to a Belgian Senate Committee Tuesday, are generating interest.
“Gen. Jones said in Brussels Tuesday the United States will significantly reduce its nuclear weapons in Europe,” reports La Libre Belgique. The article adds that responding to queries by Belgian senators regarding the presence of nuclear weapons in Belgium and the risk of a U.S. plane carrying nuclear weapons crashing on Belgian soil, Gen. Jones said: “The reduction will be significant. Good news is on the way.” The article notes that while not explicitly mentioning nuclear weapons at Kleine Brogel, Gen. Jones confirmed that in the post-Cold War era, the United States had other priorities. Stressing, however, that the presence of nuclear weapons at Kleine Brogel is an open secret, the article adds: “The U.S. plan mentioned by Gen. Jones is on a much larger scale since it aims at a worldwide redeployment of U.S. forces…. Gen. Jones also insisted on deep changes within NATO. Missions have changed. Yesterday’s enemy—the USSR and the Warsaw Pact—has collapsed…. The threat now comes from drug trafficking, terrorist networks and criminal organizations. ‘We have too many forces with a defensive character. We need … proactive forces able to intervene globally,’ Gen. Jones said."
This is all part of the ongoing discussion within the Pentagon and EUCOM (US command in Europe) about the US forces in Europe. See Washington Times for background info.