On 20 July, two women were arrested at USAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, protesting against plans to bring new US nuclear weapons to the base. Ginnie Herbert and Angie Zelter sat down and refused to move when police told them that they would not be able to deliver a letter to the base commanders. They were arrested for aggravated trespass at a ‘protected site’ under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (2005); the maximum penalty is six months in prison.
Angie and Ginnie were taken to Bury St Edmunds police investigation centre and released without charge 24 hours later. They have not yet been told what charge they will be prosecuted for, if any.
These were the only two arrests during the Peace Walk (and cycle ride) to Lakenheath, and the 10-day round-the-clock peace camp (15 – 25 July) at the main gates of USAF Lakenheath, all organised by the Lakenheath Alliance for Peace (LAP). LAP members include Aldermaston Women’s Peace Camp, Alianza por el Desarme Nuclear – Spain, CND, Greenham Women Everywhere and Heddwch ar Waith (see PN 2672).
Some activists camped on the verge on the other side of the road from the base; some supporters stayed at commercial campsites nearby. No legal action was taken against the unauthorised campers.
Along a short stretch, mostly tied to fencing, there were 62 banners, 33 flags, 23 painted umbrellas, nine placards and two pennants – 127 items in total.
Also on 20 July, there was a rally of 60 people, with speeches from Gary Champion (Green Party), Kate Hudson (CND), Zareen Taj (Cambridge Women in Black) and Angie Zelter (Trident Ploughshares).
During the camp, PN editor Milan Rai delivered workshops on ‘Nonviolent revolution’, ‘Decolonising nuclear weapons’ and ‘Even Churchill thought Hiroshima was unnecessary’. Peter Burt delivered a workshop on Nukewatch.
At the end of the camp, LAP left an olive tree for the USAF base commanders.