TWO peace activists were arrested at the weekend while attempting to deliver a letter to a Suffolk air base stating the opposition to an anticipated return of US nuclear weapons there.
Some 110 nuclear bombs were stored at the Lakenheath base until they were removed in 2008 after strong and constant protests.
But earlier this year, documents surfaced from the United States Defence Department detailing a contract to build defensive shelters for Lakenheath’s “upcoming nuclear mission.”
On Saturday, five women walked through the gates of Lakenheath, intending to deliver a letter to the base commanders, asking them to stop the nukes from returning.
Police stopped the women and two sat down peacefully, vowing to stay until a base commander could meet with them. Both were arrested and taken to Bury St Edmunds police station.
Sue Wright, a retired primary headteacher and CND Norwich & District chairwoman was one of the five who attempted to deliver the letter after previously delivering one in March.
“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 reply,” she said.
“Four months later we have heard nothing despite reminding him that we were still expecting a reply.”
The original letter questioned commanders about their awareness that the use or threat of nuclear weapons violates international law.
Jo Blackman, an adult education tutor from Shrewsbury, said: “We are concerned that the US air force 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.”
Several women in T-shirts spelling out “No Nato” formed a line across the main entrance. They were joined by about 60 others, who attended a rally outside the base during the afternoon.
Groups including CND, Communist Party of Britain branches and Stop the War Coalition united for the rally under the Lakenheath Alliance for Peace umbrella. Many had joined a peace camp outside the gates, which will remain until Thursday.
