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14 October 2001 |
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Despite being fraught with unexpected problems the CAAB demonstration was great! Two of our main speakers were unable to attend at the last minute due to medical reasons (best wishes for speedy recoveries to George Mombiot and Diane Wallis MEP). Believing that things could not get worse we were proved completely wrong when the police unexpectedly (and unnecessarily!) arrested Lindis Percy at her home on the Friday afternoon for alleged breach of bail and took her into custody. However friends rallied round and the demonstration went ahead on Saturday more-or-less as planned. (Thank you to Yorkshire CND for collecting and returning the sound system.) Message from Lindis Percy: Dear friends This is what happened which meant I was unable to be at Menwith Hill for the demonstration organised by the Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases (CAAB) - the timing was all very curious. I didn't get to the demo
because I was suddenly arrested the day before
(Friday midday) at home by a Ministry of Defence police officer who came
with an Inspector from the Humberside civil police (very unusual) and PC
for supposedly failing to attend court on Monday - I had faxed a letter
to the court the night before and which the court had received. It
was all very odd that they should have chosen the day before the demo at
MHS which I was one of the organisers and would have played a
significant part. It was odd because the warrant for my arrest was
issued by the Magistrates on Monday.
I have
been spuriously charged with alleged theft of two US flags (I
didn't) I went to two US bases - in broad daylight - took
down the US flag in protest against AMD - folded the flag neatly
up and put it in my car in front of two US personel. The MDP
were called - they did not arrest as I had written a note to the
Americans to say that I did not intend to permanently deprive the
owner of his flag. I would return the flag to the US
Ambassador (the 'keeper of the US flag') and drove quietly away in
front of the MDP who did nothing - they couldn't as it was not
theft. For over a year I have tried to get an appointment
with the US Ambassador so that I could return the flag - he won't
meet as I have said I would be bringing a letter of protest about
'Star wars' - I keep trying! I took another down in
September - before the 11th and was suddenly arrested at
Mildenhall when I was protesting on my own there after the 11th -
I was charged with theft of two US flags - each worth £100
apparently. I have elected to go to the Crown court - it
will be an interesting case as the Crown Prosecution Service are
wanting to keep it in the Magistrates' court and not before the
twelve good people of the jury.
I was
up at Menwith at the weekly demonstration on Tuesday and there
were 16 MDP there for 8 demonstrators - they should/could have
arrested then but chose to pick me up the day before the
demonstration at Menwith Hill on Saturday
I have
never appeared in court on the first stage of a case - I have been
arrested hundreds of times and have had many many cases over 20
years so I do know the system. I have never failed to
contact the court by letter to say that I will be pleading not
guilty and that has always been accepted - until Friday.
I was
taken to the Central police station at mid-day on Friday and
stayed there over night - I was taken by Group 4 in one of those
horrid vans to Oxford where I appeared in court at 1 pm ish.
The court made no issue of the alleged breach of bail but did
impose draconian bail conditions on the request of the CPS (MDP):
Over
the years I have had all manner of bail conditions - not to go
within 5 miles, all varieties of meters/yards/ to report daily to
a police station, not to go outside the boundaries of Bradford, to
reside and sleep at a variety of addresses, not to enter any MOD
property in the world etc etc - I've in fact been on continuous
bail since about 1986 - I say this with no pride or pleasure.
These
conditions are: Not to go within 25 meters of any military
establishment used by the United States within England and Wales -
We
will of course be going to the High Court to try to get these
conditions lifted as it totally stops me protesting at any US
bases in England and Wales.
I
thought of all the actions round the world as I sat in the cell
from midday to after midday the following day - terribly terribly
sad but sure that we can stop this madness. It sounded a
very good demonstration at Menwith Hill.
In
peace
Lindis
Percy
The demonstration was held just inside the main entrance of
the base in the visitors car park. It began with a candlelit vigil
remembering all victims of all terrorist attacks ... on 11 September, before
11 September and after 11 September. A peace candle passed on from a chain of
candles for peace around the world was lit by the young son of Josephine Joffey
from Bradford School of Peace Studies and a minute's silence was observed. When we handed over the microphone to the demonstrators,
we could have no conception of what an inspiring event it would become.
Speaker after speaker moved us with their passionate, reasoned arguments
against Star Wars, bombing Afghanistan, millions starving whilst each cruise
missile costs $1 million, etc. etc. Danbert from the group Chumbawumba and
Jane Shalice from the magazine Red Pepper took their turn at the microphone
as did Tony and Sue who sung some stirring songs. With such a
well-informed public, we were all given hope that one day we really shall
overcome. We thank them all for their eloquence, and hope that they will
return to Menwith Hill for future demonstrations.
Paul and friends shared their wonderful drumming and Veggies
from Nottingham provided non-stop delicious food throughout the day.
Geoff and Jane Clapp, solicitors and Chris Butler, first aider, were on call
all day but not needed.
The afternoon walk around the base gave people the
opportunity of getting the measure of the place. Many people told us that the
word 'Menwith' meant more to them by the end of it. The intention had been for Lindis
to speak from the front and Chris from the back. We were sorry we forgot
the loud hailer in the morning rush but - running to and fro was not
satisfactory but at least we tried!
Ministry of Defence police said 230 protesters were on the
walk (thank you to North Yorkshire police for their low-key policing and for
closing the roads while the walk was in progress) and it was estimated that
nearly 300 people came to the demonstration during the day (10am-4pm) to say
'STOP STAR WARS' and 'STOP BOMBING AFGHANISTAN'. If you can please continue supporting CAAB by coming on the
weekly Tuesday night demonstrations against Star Wars and Bombing Afghanistan.
We meet at the Main entrance to NSA Menwith Hill at 7pm with
banners/candles/appropriately inscribed US flags and we stay for two hours.
For the international response to the day of action see: http://www.space4peace.org
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