Lindis was eventually released (with bail conditions not to go within a specified area of USAF Fairford) from Cheltenham Police Station at about 3.45 pm - having been transferred in a hurry at 8 am from Stroud Police Station for 'operational reasons'.  Apparently the American authorities were furious because of the major breach in security and wanted 'something done'.

Lindis has been charged with s.68 'aggravated trespass' (Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994) and another charge which was suddenly produced at the same time of 'criminal damage' to a B-52 by tying the US flag on to the plane rendering it unusable for its intended purpose (not the exact words as charge sheet not to hand).

The 'plea' date for appearance in court is 19 March 2003 at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court at 10 am.

Before Lindis Percy (Joint Co-ordinator of the CAMPAIGN FOR THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF AMERICAN BASES - CAAB) heard that 14 B-52s had landed at USAF Fairford she had gone to the Joint Analysis Center at Molesworth to check if the US National Guard had arrived (we still cannot confirm this).

Lindis shut the main gate and stood with the US flag (upside down) - she parked her car in the 'in' lane and disrupted the early shift traffic for about 10 minutes.  However the US security 'police' opened the other gate and once again the traffic flowed.

She came back to the base and padlocked the main gate and again shut the other gate with her car once more parked in the 'in' lane.  This time the traffic was held up for about 20 minutes while the US personnel searched for a bolt cutter.  She left as soon as the gate was opened and when the Ministry of Defence Police Agency arrived.

Lindis then went on to USAF Croughton with the specific intention of taking the US flag down.  She  has done this on several occasions. in the past.

A US flag is always flying on US bases and each day there is a solomn ceremony for the raising and lowering of the flag.  Lindis still has in her possession a US flag which was taken down at Barford St John (sister base to Croughton).  She is very keen to return this flag to the 'keeper of the US flag' who is the American Ambassador in London.  Despite many attempts to make an appointment by letter he refuses to make one.  A letter of protest at the American Missile Defense system would also be included with the return of the US flag and also now at the US/UK led attack on Iraq.

Lindis was unable to take down the US flag at Croughton as they have now put a piece of plastic so that it is not possible without cutting it.  She left before the US 'security police detained'  her.  Three of them had put on purple coloured latex gloves ready to do so.

She and other protestors have been subjected to serious American violence in the past until a change of instructions was finally achieved.

Having heard about the arrival of the US B-52 bombers at USAF Fairford Lindis was moved to go to witness and protest against the arrival of the 14 B-52s.

For two hours Lindis wandered around the base undetected despite the base being on high alert.  She then spent a further two hours underneath a wing of one of the newly arrived US B-52 bombers peacefully protesting and witnessing against the impending US-led war against Iraq.  In her hands she held an upside down US flag bearing the words 'THE WORLDS ROGUES ... GWB AND FRIENDS'. Not one patrol checked the plane during this time.

Lindis was eventually seen by USAF security police who rushed up to her with raised guns and threatened to 'hurt her'. They threw her to the concrete ground and handcuffed her although they have no authority to touch peaceful British protesters.

Members of the Ministry of Defence Police Agency stood by and watched this happen until Lindis asked them to take control of the situation which they eventually did. At her request they also had the American handcuffs removed which were digging into her wrists.

Lindis was arrested at approximately 10pm and taken to Stroud police station were she is being held overnight as they say they cannot check the fence for criminal damage until the morning.

When I spoke to Lindis on the phone just after 11pm she was waiting to be interviewed by Detective Sgt. Knight from CID. She was cold, tired and distressed at the arrival and purpose of the eight B-52 bombers that had arrived so far but was basically sound and glad to have made a peaceful stand. 

Lindis climbed the fence into the base causing no damage and is hoping to be released as soon as the morning fence check is completed.