Yorkshire CND - America wants it all - life, the Universe and everything

8 October 2006
Rhythms of Resistance for Space For Peace
CAAB

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/manchester/...
http://rormanchester.blogspot.com/

As part of the International week of protest against nuclear weapons and power in space there was a protest outside the US spy base Menwith Hill on Saturday: 7th October 2006: A cold windy day changed into a colourful explosion of politics

CND, Space for Peace, the drumming circle,local people and Rhythms of Resistance protested against the US power of space, spy communications and war. The message was clear and loud Fuck Bush, Fuck Blair, Stop the War, No star wars. The protest ended up with the Police dragging the Rhythms of Resistance drummers away from the gate/entrance in a desparate attempt of protecting the spy-filled golf balls from...erm music and love!


Karl Dallas sang his inspirational songs	Martin Deane (Hull and East Riding Green Party) gave background to Menwith

We walked round the base, Lindis gave more info about the place.	Rhythms of Resistance Manchester & Sheffield

Independence from America	star wars

They are watching us watching them watching YOU

And it didn't rain (hardly) at Menwith!

This was part of an international Keep Space for Peace week of action (http://www.space4peace.org)

Lindis Percy, Joint Co-ordinator with Anni Rainbow of the Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases (http://www.caab.org.uk/) reminded people how important it is to be continually scratching at the edges of empires like Menwith... saying no to this takeover by the USA, no to this invasion of privacy, no to this desecration of the Yorkshire soil.

RORS

	protestors
golf balls guards	drums against Menwith Hill US *base*

CAAB report no 198

Culmination of the Annual International
'KEEP SPACE FOR PEACE' demonstration
at NSA Menwith Hill

There was a large police presence which we have come to expect these days; 4 police horses, quad bikes, pedal bikes and lots of police officers bussed in from far and wide. It was great people came and the sun shone.

The demonstration was started by Paul Dear and Nessa (Rhythmbridge) with a drumming workshop. Martin Deane (Hull and East Riding Green Party) acted as 'Master of Ceremonies'. and later spoke - as did Dave Webb. Karl Dallas sang wonderfully, followed by speeches from Martin Deane and Dave Webb (Professor of Engineering Leeds Metropolitan University. Salma Yaqoob (Vice Chair RESPECT party) was unable to come so we were particularly grateful to Martin and Dave who stepped in at the last moment.

Lindis (Joint Co-ordinator with Anni Rainbow of CAAB) and Dave led a walk round the base accompanied by Rhythms of Resistance from Sheffield, Manchester and Bradford. We stopped at various places round the base where Lindis and Dave talked about some of the history and roles of the base and the technical details of the Missile Defense programme. The walk seems to have become somewhat of a fixture now!

When we arrived back at the base we were met by a solid row of police across the main entrance. Rhythms of Resistance stopped to drum wonderfully. However they were asked to move on as they were allegedly causing an 'obstruction of the highway'. Instead of letting them move on, the police got heavy handed and started to push and shove people to the side. After asking a senior police officer if he would ask the police to stand back, a potential conflict was avoided and Rhythms of Resistance played on.

Thank you so much to everyone who came especially Rhythmbridge, Martin Deane, Dave Webb, Karl Dallas, Rhythms of Resistance and not forgetting the wonderful Veggies of Nottingham. We would also like to thank Raymond for supplying the trailer.

N.B There is a demonstrations each Tuesday evening (6-8) outside the main entrance of Menwith Hill.

For your diary next year - the annual 'Independence FROM America' demonstration on 4 July 2007.