8 January 2003

Carrying large flags with 'NO TO STAR WARS' printed across the stars and stripes, the four kept up a steady and very visible presence at the gate on one of the coldest nights of the year so far. US military personnel and Yorkshire police outnumbered the protesters by about 3 - 1, and the steady traffic of American military personnel coming in and out of the base all evening were left in no doubt what we think of their warmongering occupation of one of the most loved parts of our beautiful northern moors.

One of the protesters was arrested at around 7.30pm and taken to Harrogate police station apparently for obstructing a public highway, but was later released without charge. Meanwhile, the steady stream of highly polished left hand drive Chevrolets, Dodge convertibles and SUVs, some with blackened out windows, continually broke local traffic regulations by ignoring a stop sign and neglecting to signal, some even managing a wave and a smile at the protesters' cheerful presence.

The weekly Tuesday night protests are part of a campaign of regular gatherings at Menwith Hill spy station. In recent weeks there have been a number of arrests and a build up in the numbers of police present, so it is extremely important for more protesters to gather to let the Americans and our goverment know exactly what we think, especially in this build-up for a war against Iraq.

Please bring as many people as you can, it's cold but with a flask of tea and a couple of layers of thermals it's a grand way to spend an evening, much better for your karma than muttering oaths at the telly on your cosy couch!

Every Tuesday evening, 7 - 9pm at USAF Menwith Hill, just off the A59 seven miles west of Harrogate. Only about 15mins from junction 47 of the M1. A stone's throw from York, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Doncaster, Hull, only about an hour from Middlesborough. A couple of hours from Birmingham, that's all. Don't leave it until the summer when it's warm you wuss! Get there, you know you want to!

See also - We can't afford not to Stop The War & Stop Star Wars