We have said this many times before, but we have and are having a huge struggle to maintain the lawful authority of the case of Hirst and Agu v the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police (1986) which gives us the right to protest (known as a 'de-minimus' obstruction).

It was very obvious from the start, that PC McMullen (MDPA) - acting as a 'traffic' officer - was following instructions and intent on making sure that traffic came out of the base without  hinderance. He was certainly not upholding or enabling the right to protest as in the case of 'Hirst and Agu'.

Within a very short time of arriving at NSA/USAF Menwith Hill tonight, for the regular Tuesday night demonstration, Lindis Percy was arrested by PC Watson (MDPA) for allegedly 'wilfully obstructing PC McMullen  in the execution of his duty' (acting as 'traffic' officer).   There were two demonstrators with over 10 MDPA officers present.  Two other people joined the demonstration later.

Lindis was taken to Harrogate Police Station and soon charged with this alleged offence. Another charge was added - 'wilful obstruction of the highway'. She denies both charges.

New bail conditions were imposed by Sergeant Matthew Walker (North Yorkshire Police Custody officer) ‘not to go within 5 metres of any part of the perimeter fence of RAF Menwith Hill. In addition to this you are not to go within 15 metres of the main gate to RAF Menwith Hill.'  This was despite Lindis bringing to the attention of the Custody officer, that Harrogate Magistrates had recently removed the 15 metres imposed, as being uncertain (bail conditions must be certain) and that she would not be able to protest with a restriction of 15 metres at the Main entrance.

Yesterday, (Monday, 25 October 2004) was very different concerning the application of the law at USAF Mildenhall, USAF Lakenheath and the Deep Space Tracking Center and Near Space Facility at Feltwell. Lindis was there for most of the day at many of the entrances to each of the bases, with the same US flag (PLEASE VOTE HIM OUT).

Having given a copy of ‘Hirst and Agu’ to Acting Sergeant Paul Glover (MDPA), Lindis asked him to read it which he eventually did and the law was applied.  Lindis stood, for a short time, in front of many cars coming out of the bases. She held the flag and then moved to one side (the lawful authority of ‘Hirst and Agu’) for the cars to go on their way.

One Ministry of Defence Police Agency officer in particular, was very professional, courteous and he beautifully enabled the right to protest (as in 'Hirst and Agu') to happen.  This of course is how it should be.