On Monday 15th July twenty walkers arrived at the main gate of RAF Lakenheath and set up their camp and vigil. Banners and messages of peace were tied on to the fence, including “No US nukes at RAF Lakenheath.” A 24/7 vigil will be held at the base until at least 25th July.
On Tuesday 16th July scores of protesters joined the group at the main gate to see a letter being presented to the commanders of the base. Sadly the commanders were not prepared to meet the delegation in person, so they had to post the letter through a gap between the doors. Previous letters to the commanders have received no replies.
Earlier, a group of five stood opposite the base with umbrellas holding the message: NO WAR. They then crossed the road and held up traffic coming out of the base until police asked them to move away.
Later in the day a group of peace campers went around the base and were shocked at the size of its footprint. The noise level from fighter jets was phenomenal. The local residents they met walking the local footpath by the perimeter fence were very supportive of the camp and its aims, and will visit. One said they were very concerned at the level of noise pollution, and asked the local council to test it. This has been declined, and nobody has yet been found to carry out testing.
The base is close to spectacular threatened Breck habitat and species. They peace campers saw evidence of old nuclear bunkers and the refurbishment of others. They were approached by several groups of US security police, who called the Suffolk police. The Suffolk police escorted them as they followed the public footpaths back to the base.