Menwith Hill Demonstration

by: Jenny Noyce

Britain:

A demonstration organised by Yorkshire CND and supported by Trident Ploughshares and CAAB (Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases) took place on Friday, 19 March at NSA Menwith Hill. The demonstration was organised to mark the beginning of the US/UK “pre-emptive” invasion of Iraq.

Protestors arrived at and before dawn and managed to successfully blockade four gates, so that traffic trying to enter the base had to be diverted to other places. The base was “locked down” by demonstrators for some time and traffic jams occurred during shift changes.

30 people (to be confirmed) were arrested and detained at Harrogate Police Station, including Lindis Percy (Joint Co-ordinator of CAAB) and Anni Rainbow. The two had decided to support the protest by being legal observers and gate stewards and did not intend to blockade the base.

A Ministry of Defence Police Agency officer arrested Lindis for allegedly obstructing the highway. She peacefully walked up and down the road holding an upside down American flag with the words “Independence FROM America” written on it. After being held for approximately four and a half hours, she was not charged and then released on bail to return to the police station on 7 April.

Other demonstrations took place this weekend around the globe as many demonstrated against the Iraq invasion on Saturday, 20 March. Over 300 cities saw protests as millions came out to commemorate the first year anniversary of the attacks on Iraq.

For more information or pictures go to http://www.caab.org.uk, or www.indymedia.org.uk
Or mail CAAB, 8 Park Row, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 1HQ, England, UK

Source: CAAB