Despite heavy rain and being a week day, about 80 or so people came to the American base at Menwith Hill for the annual 'Independence FROM America' demonstration.  This has been held on 4 July since the early 80s. As usual there was a big police presence, including four police horses and several vans of 'standby' officers in the background.  Officers has been brought in from around North Yorkshire including coming from York, Pickering, Scarborough, Huddersfield and Wakefield.  The videoing surveillance by the Ministry of Defence Police Agency and North Yorkshire Police was oppressive and intrusive.

 

There was a good moment when Footprints for Peace arrived having come  from Sellafield and on their way to London (see their website:  www.footprintsforpeace.net).  It was lovely that Anni Rainbow (co-founder of CAAB) was able to be present.

Steve Hill (Daftasadrum) facilitated his fantastic drumming workshop and Lindis Percy (Coordinator CAAB) welcomed everyone to the Yorkshire Dales.  We turned our backs on the base and had a minutes silence to remember all those affected by violent conflicts - particularly remembering those  because of  the mess of Iraq and Afghanistan.  The minutes' silence has become a tradition at this demonstration, as has the public reading of the amended orginal version of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration can be found on the CAAB website.  Lindis read out a message from a teacher involved with a  campaign to oppose the American base on Okinawa saying that they would raising an upside down American flag in solidarity with CAAB and the demonstration at Menwith Hill. 

 

There were many representatives from the media including TV, radio, national and local newspaper reporters.  This was probably because Alan Bennett (the respected playwright and author) was one of the speakers.   He came on the train from London via York to Harrogate and then got a taxi to Menwith Hill.  He said that he had agreed to come to the demonstration (organised by the Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases - CAAB) but that he had had a clash of engagements.  He had turned down an invitation to have cocktails with the American ambassador in London for the Independence Day celebrations and instead had decided to add his support to the demonstration.  He said that he did not give the ambassador a reason for declining the invitation as he "did not think that would be very kind".

 

Mark Steel (comedian, socialist and broadcaster) spoke in his unique humourous, witty and passionate way.   It was wonderful to have such excellent speakers.  Sadly Anas Altikriti (spokesman for the British Muslim Initiative) was unable to come.  We kept hoping that he might arrive but unfortunately picked up a message from him too late,  in which he warned that he might not be able to come - having been called urgently back to London.

 

We heard lovely contributions of original poems and songs were sung.

 

However there was a troubling development.  Despite liaising carefully with the police (as we have always done) the police fulfilled their threat to served a section 12 notice under the Public Order Act 1986.  People attending, including Alan Bennett and Mark Steel were served with this notice.  Grahame Maxwell (Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police) imposed conditions during the traditional walk round the base .  - so preventing us from going all the way round as we have done for many years - with the help of the police.   This was the first time this particular police power has been used at Menwith Hill and it sets a worrying precedent.  Also it meant that Dave Webb (Professor of Engineering at Leeds Metropolitan Univercity) and Lindis Percy were unable to complete the information that they give as to what goes on at the base by stopping at various points round.

 

Despite meetings and phone calls before the demonstration it became increasingly clear that there was no possibility of negotiation or compromise.  The police were very determined.  Two people were arrested - however not because of being in breach of the notice.  One young man was arrested for declining to remove a shirt with a word on it that some people might have found offensive and a woman was arrested for apparently trying to intervene.

 

CAAB has contacted Liberty about the section 12 notice and they want to know more.  Details and documents have been sent to them. 

 

Thank you so much from CAAB to everyone who came:  Raymond and Christine Johnson for supplying the trailer,  Chris Chanter for supplying the PA system, Bradford Samba Band, Steve Hill, Footprintsforpeace, Veggies of Nottingham, Alan Bennett, Mark Steel, Dave Webb, Sarah Cartin, Dave Tetley (Liaison PC from Pately Bridge) and all who contributed to the demonstration.  As Alan Bennett said:

 

 "In 1776 the Americans gave us notice to quit.  I think it is about time we returned the compliment."

 

PLEASE NOTE: 

 

There is a demonstration at the main entrance to Menwith Hill every Tuesday evening - 6-8 pm.  We are now into our sixth year.

 

FOR YOUR DIARY:

 

CAAB will be organising a demonstration at Menwith Hill on Saturday 13 October 2007 as part of a week of protest ' Keep Space for Peace' - called for by the Global Network Against Nuclear Weapons and Power in Space - more details nearer the time.

 

Lindis Percy

Coordinator

Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases - CAAB

www.caab.org.uk