Women stand across main gate wearing T-shirts spelling out “NO NATO”
Sixty people gather at Lakenheath Peace Camp for rally on camp’s 6th day
This afternoon, five women walked through the main gate of USAF Lakenheath, intending to deliver a letter to the Base Commanders, asking them to stop US nuclear weapons returning to Lakenheath.
Officers from Suffolk Police intercepted the women, informed them that the Base Commanders would not be coming to meet them, and asked the women to leave. Two of the women sat down and said they would stay until a Base Commander was available to meet with them. Both women were arrested and taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Station.
One of the five women, Sue Wright, who is a retired primary headteacher and Chair of Norwich & District CND, explained:
“In March this year, together with other members of Lakenheath Alliance for Peace (LAP), I walked through the main gate to deliver a letter to the Base Commanders. We insisted on delivering the letter in person, and after waiting a couple of hours, RAF Base Commander Stewart Geary met briefly with us, received our letter and promised to make sure the US Commanders received it, and that we would receive a reply. Four months later we have heard nothing, despite reminding the commanders on several occasions. So we’ve returned today to ask again.”
Angie Zelter, one of the women arrested, added:
“Our original letter put a number of questions to the Commanders, including these:
- Are you aware that the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is against international law?
- Are you aware that the use of nuclear weapons threatens humanity and all life on our planet?
- Are you aware of the dangers to our community of having these weapons stored on your site, and that there has been no discussion in Parliament or in local councils about their arrival?
- Are you aware that the weapons designed to be carried by the F-35As could only be used as first-strike weapons?
These are crucial questions – and we still await a reply.”
Jo Blackman, an adult education tutor from Shrewsbury, said “we are concerned that the USAF is subjecting us, and especially local people, to a major existential calamity by preparing to receive US nuclear missiles. Just one warhead could kill hundreds of thousands of people outright and devastate our environment. This is a major breach of international humanitarian and war laws as well as the UN Treaty to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons. It will also make East Anglia a primary nuclear target.”
Also, this afternoon, several women donned T-shirts spelling out “NO NATO” and briefly formed a line across the main entrance.
Approximately 60 people attended today’s rally, which took place on a grass verge outside the base, and listened to speakers including CND general secretary Kate Hudson.
Notes for editors:
1. The camp was established on Monday 15th July and will continue until Thursday July 25th.
2. More than 30 organisations have united to form Lakenheath Alliance for Peace, including trades councils, faith groups and peace groups.
3. There is more info on our website: https://lakenheathallianceforpeace.org.uk/