|
Menwith Hill
Menwith Hill News Menu
4 March 2003
US spy-base police chief denies £13,000 benefit fraud
(See also
MDP Chief Inspector charged
)
21 February 2OO3
Menwith Hill Shuttle
The 'Menwith Shuttle' bus was held up for about 40 minutes this afternoon. Lindis Percy boarded the bus to protest to the people who work on the US base at Menwith
Hill about the pending attack on Iraq and to highlight the vulnerability of this bus.
The bus makes regular trips to Harrogate and surrounding areas from the base at Menwith Hill. An ID card is required and members of the public cannot use this
bus.
Lindis easily boarded the bus and went to sit at the back of it. She had the US flag with her with the words 'The world's rogues - GWB and friends'
written on it. The driver asked her to show her ID card and then told her to get off. Lindis quietly declined and while the driver phoned for help she
continued to speak to the passengers about the role of Menwith Hill in the pending US/UK attack on Iraq and related issues. She pointed out that the presence of the
US Visiting Forces and their Agencies at Menwith Hill (and all US bases) put all our security at risk. Lindis had immediately said to the passengers when
she got on the bus that she was not there to alarm anyone. Her quest was peaceful and non-violent.
After about 40 minutes North Yorkshire Police arrived and threatened her with arrest under a Public Order offence. Lindis suggested that would be unwise as the
proposed arrest would not come under this Act. The police went into a huddle and eventually came back with the driver who again asked her to get off the bus.
By this time another bus had arrived and all the passengers were transferred to the other bus. Lindis left too and declined to further engage with the police who
wanted 'a word'.
Later on Lindis was walking on the base at Menwith Hill and was arrested under the RAF Menwith Hill military land byelaws. She has again had bail conditions
imposed 'not to go within 50 meters of Menwith Hill' and once more will have to go down the tedious route to get them lifted. Lindis now has two offences under the
byelaws in court. She will once more be challenging the legality of the byelaws.
13 February 2003
MHS Planning Decision
31 January 2003
CAAB Report from Menwith Hill
21 January 2002
Pictures from visit by Missile Defence Working Group
16 January 2003
At Harrogate Magistrates' Court today Lindis Percy had her application for variation of her bail conditions ('not to enter within 50 metres of the perimiter fence
of Menwith Hill Base') denied on the grounds that she may re-offend whilst on bail. She will now try to get another hearing, this time in the High Court, before
next Tuesday.
North Yorkshire police have carried out 'robust policing' since having had meetings with undisclosed members of the American Menwith Hill 'community' and the UK
Ministry of Defence Police Agency (who are paid for and come under the operational control of American).
These new tactics appear to involve 'taking out' protesters early on at the regular Tuesday evening demonstrations, spuriously arresting them and taking them to
Harrogate police station where they are charged, held until the demonstration is over and bailed not to go within various distances of Menwith Hill. As the base has
roads on all four sides it then becomes impossible to demonstrate outside it without breaching the bail conditions.
It has become clear that the right to peaceful protest and free expression is being rapidly erroded at the regular Tuesday evening protests at Menwith Hill
and that the will of the American base authorities is apparently more important than Human Rights or Civil Liberties. This is unacceptable.
It is so very important to keep up the regular demonstrations at Menwith Hill which is absolutely crucial to both the American Missile Defence plans
(along with Fylingdales) and the US-led war against Iraq.
14 January 2003
The North Yorkshire police who attend the regular Tuesday evening demonstrations organised by CAAB are continuing with their somewhat heavy-handed 'robust' policing.
On Tuesday 14 January
Lindis Percy was again arrested for alleged 'obstruction of the highway' and held at Harrogate police station until after the demonstration had finished.
She was charged with an alleged 'obstruction of the highway' and an additional suprising charge of 'failing to obey an instruction given by a police
officer'.
Lindis denies both charges.
Bail conditions were imposed 'not to enter within 50 metres of the perimiter fence of Menwith Hill Base'. By again applying bail conditions there seems to be a
deliberate form of control to prevent effective peaceful protest.
Lindis will apply to Harrogate Magistrates' Court today for a variation of bail conditions. At the moment she cannot demonstrate at Menwith Hill.
We do need more people to join these well established demonstrations at NSA Menwith Hill ... so do please join us if you can at Nessfield Gate on the B6451
Pateley Bridge Road ... Tueday evenings 7-9pm.
It is even more important than ever to show the US base authorities and those who work on this base that we are deeply opposed to any military action against Iraq
and the involvement of Menwith Hill and Fylingdales in the American Missile Defense system.
7 January 2003
Report from Menwith Hill Weekly Demonstration
Update -
We can't afford not to Stop the War and Stop Star Wars
30 December 2002
On Monday 30 December
at Harrogate Magistrates' Court Christine Dean and Mike Davies applied to have their bail conditions overturned. These had been imposed on Christmas Eve after
their arrest at the regular Tuesday evening CAAB demonstration at Menwith Hill.
As the CPS did not have all the relevant papers, the case was ajourned until the next day. Christine and Mike were given the opportunity by the magistrates to explain
the circumstances of their arrest and their deep concerns about the role of the base.
On Tuesday 31 December
, with different magistrates, a similar procedure took place. The magistrates overturned the bail conditions which had specified that the defendants were not to go
within 100 metres of Menwith Hill.
To save returning to court on 2 January
(as previously bailed) Christine and Mike were asked if they wished to plead. They both pleaded Not Guilty. They are now unconditionally bailed to appear at Harrogate
Magistrates' Court on 20 January
for their Pre-Trial Review, when a date will be set for the trial.
24 December 2002
Arrests at Menwith Hill on Christmas Eve
6 December 2002
LATEST PLANNING APPLICATION RE MENWITH HILL
A site notice is going up at Menwith Hill today for the following Planning Application:
PA No: 6.500.229.CROWND - Removal of underground fuel storage tank (capacity 4,000 litres) and replacement of overground fuel storage tank (capacity 16,000 litres)
This is a huge increase in fuel storage capacity rather than just a simple replacement of underground with overground storage.
The planning application will go through as 'designated' ie to be decided by the Planning Officer (Helen Sephton) and Head of Planning (Tim Richards) rather than by
the full Planning Committee.
Objections may be received up to 27 December 2002 and should be addressed to:
Helen Sefton, Planning Officer
Department of Technical Services
Knapping Mount
West Grove Road
Harrogate HG1 2AE
(Tel no: 01423 500600 Fax: 01423 530982)
The tank is sited to the side of Building 42B, in front of the Service Road to the Electric Feeder Station.
12 October 2002
As part of the International Week of Protest called for by the Global Network Against Weapons and Power in Space, CAAB will be demonstrating at Menwith Hill - STOP 'STAR
WARS' AND STOP THE BOMBING OF IRAQ
-
more details
.
11 September 2002
Silent vigil to remember all those killed and injured by all individuals and countries who use violence to bring about political change -
more details.
21 August 2002
Lindis Percy was arrested and charged under the 'RAF Menwith Hill' byelaws. She
was camping on the base and had been there for over two hours undiscovered when she was arrested after declining to move -
more details
.
2 May 2002
MDP Chief Inspector charged
-
On Tuesday 2 May 2002 Chief Inspector Graeme Drummond (MDP), currently on 'annual leave' from his post at NSA
Menwith Hill, appeared in Harrogate Magistrates' Court to answer charges of deception.
(See also
US spy-base police chief denies £13,000 benefit fraud
)
28 March 2002
MDP Chief Inspector at Menwith Hill arrested
-
Chief Inspector Graeme Drummond, senior Ministry of Defence Police officer at NSA Menwith Hill, near Harrogate,
North Yorkshire was arrested on Monday 25 March 2002
by MOD CID. The arrest was in connection with an alleged police housing fraud inquiry.
Mr Drummond was taken to a police station in York where he was later released on bail. He has now been suspended from duty and is officially 'on annual
leave'.
It is alleged that Mr Drummond had been claiming MOD housing benefits while living in a house paid for by the US Visiting Forces.
Inspector Barry Frost (MDP) will replace Chief Inspector Drummond as an Acting Chief Inspector at NSA Menwith Hill.
26 February 2002
CAAB has organised a weekly witness and protest against the American Missile Defense system ('Star Wars') at the Main entrance to NSA Menwith Hill Station (MHS) for
over a year. Anni Rainbow and Lindis Percy (Joint Co-ordinators of CAAB) went on Tuesday evening as usual to MHS to attend the weekly protest.
As soon as they arrived two Ministry of Defence Police officers met them to say that 'there was going to be robust policing tonight'. About 12-15 MDP officers were
suddenly present at the Main entrance to the base and clearly something very different to the usual protest was about to take place.
Anni was immediately informed by Barry Frost (Inspector MDP) that she was committing an offence of 'aggravated trespass' (s.69 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order
Act 1994) and read out a warning to her which says that if she returned to the land within three months she would be arrested. She was told that she had to go back behind
a yellow line that suddenly appeared on the ground last year. If she did not she would be arrested. Anni said that she 'preferred not to' and was arrested by PC
Mackenzie.
In the meantime Lindis was roughly manhandled by several MDP and told that she had to get back beyond the 'yellow line'. This line has been disputed by Lindis and Anni
ever since it appeared. Lindis was also eventually arrested under section 69 CJPO Act 1994.
It was particularly distressing that both Barry Frost and John Quinn (Sgt MDP) were involved in this latest manipulation of the law by the MDP on behalf of their American
clients. Barry Frost has a substantiated complaint of assault against Lindis and recently brought a spurious case of assault against her and John Quinn has a conviction
of assault against her.
What happened last night is serious in that the MDP have it seems, been clearly instructed by the American authorities to 'do' something about the protest. Increasingly
the use of the US flag with 'Stop Star Wars' written across the flag and the inconvenience to those coming in and out of the base is possibly an irritant to them.
The use of this particular law (instead of the military land byelaws which has been used many times by the MDP and not allowed to come to court in order to prevent a
challenge) is a cynical move by the MDP to use a law which, when brought in was never meant to be used re peaceful protest. Section 69 in particular is draconian.
Anni and Lindis were eventually charged with the alleged offence (s.69 CJPO Act) and bail conditions imposed:
'Not to go within 200 meters of RAF Menwith Hill Harrogate North Yorkshire.'
Having given careful thought to a necessary response to the clear manipulation of the law by the MDP Anni and Lindis decided to go straight back to the base. They parked
by the base and had a Quaker Meeting for Worship in Anni's van before two MDP arrived and arrested both of them for 'breach of bail conditions'.
They were kept in Harrogate Police Station over night and taken to Harrogate Magistrates' court the next morning (Wednesday). The Crown Prosecutor made an application
that the Magistrates' reimpose the same bail conditions - however Lindis and Anni opposed this by arguing that the need for the Magistrates' to hear the background to the
sudden change of plan, protest by the MDP, 'aggravated trespass was not brought in to be used against peaceful protest, the right to protest (Human Rights Act 1998) was
violated, and in any event bail conditions must be certain. When asked by the Magistrates' what bail conditions did Lindis consider to be appropriate she suggested 'bail
with no conditions'.
After some discussion the Magistrates' returned to the court and agreed that the bail conditions which the CPS had applied for were 'unenforceable' and 'excessive'.
Giving their reasons to decline to re-impose the bail conditions they ruled that it was important to recognise the right to peaceful protest.
The lack of facilities in detention and court for Anni made her time in custody extremely difficult. Group 4 (security firm) at Harrogate Magistrates' Court arrived at a
solution when it was clear that Anni could not get up a flight of stairs in her wheelchair to enter the court. It was suggested by Dave (Group 4 officer) that the
Magistrates' might come to the detention cells to hear the case. Anni and Lindis pointed out to the detention officer that cases had to be heard in open court unless
under exceptional circumstances.
A sensible decision was made eventually by Dave of Group 4 that Anni and Lindis be released from detention. They could then go into the court by the usual way. This is in
fact what happened.
Lindis and Anni appear at Harrogate Magistrates' court on 7 March
at 10am . It is even more important than ever that as many people support the weekly demonstration at MHS. It is perhaps the first indication that protest against AMD
will be made more difficult with the use of the law to control and stifle peaceful. protest.
15 February 2002
........that the senior officer in charge of the MOD Police at Menwith Hill is allegedly under investigation for fraudulently claiming police rent allowance when he
has lived in free accommodation (provided by the USAF) for the past 5 years.....
Chief Inspector Graeme Drummond Senior Police Officer of RAF Menwith Hill was allegedly recently served with Discipline papers by
the MDP CID Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Neil Berry. There is no confirmation that Mr Drummond has been suspended from duty presumably to avoid drawing
attention to the case as his claims would have been approved at the highest level probably by Assistant Chief Constable Barry Smith - who has the dual role of approving
such claims and the responsibility for Complaints and Discipline within MDP.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that the sum involved amounts to over £15,000.
13 October 2001
CAAB says not to Star Wars on
International Day of Protest
7 October 2001
CAAB response to US/UK military action in Afghanistan
On hearing this news CAAB immediately went to NSA Menwith Hill to witness and protest at the launching of Cruise missiles and bombing raids on Afghanistan. We used the
US flag with 'NOT IN MY NAME' and stayed at the Main entrance from 9.30 pm to midnight.
The regular Tuesday evening demonstrations at the Main entrance to NSA Menwith Hill (7-9 pm) against 'STAR WARS'. We are also reflecting the growing concerns
about the continuing military actions by the US and the UK forces.
1 September 2001
WEEKLY PROTESTS AT MENWITH HILL
There has been an increase in Ministry of Defence police since the Greenpeace action on 3/4 July
. Officers are being 'bussed' in to Menwith Hill and Fylingdales from all over the UK. Approximately 22 MDP are staying at the Crown Hotel in Harrogate. CAAB has taken
this up with the press and has asked the Chief Constable of the MDP to say who is paying for this. Norman Baker MP will also ask a series of Parliamentary questions when
Parliament returns. CAAB is concerned at the 'security' at Menwith Hill.
An apparent change of policy was evident concerning the byelaws at Menwith Hill on 28 August
when many byelaw notices suddenly appeared round the base. For at least two years there have only been six byelaws notices. CAAB firmly believes that the byelaws are
invalid and are in the process of discussing with lawyers as to a legal action to reveal the institutionalised manipulation of the law over many years by the Ministry of
Defence police and the Crown Prosecution Service (see information on byelaws)
Lindis was informed that she would be reported to the High Court for allegedly breaching the permanent injunction twice during the protest on 28 August 2001
.
13 August 2001
CAAB's Tuesday evening protests against Star Wars continue at the Main entrance to Menwith Hill from 7pm-9pm each week.
Since the Greenpeace action on 3/4 July and a visit to the base on 5 July by Geoff Hoon to review the lax security there has been a big increase in
numbers of MOD police. (Incidently the security at MHS is still poor despite the extra MOD police).
The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) are being 'bussed' in from around the UK for short terms of 12 hr shifts and are being put up in luxury hotels in
Harrogate. Harrogate Planning Office has received a planning application from Howard Taylor (Defence Land Agent based at Catterick Garrison) on behalf of the American
base authorities for 'two temporary portacabins for security accomodation'. These are expected to be used by the extra MDP while they are on duty. CAAB has briefed Norman
Baker M.P. who regularly asks PQ's on CAAB's behalf and he will be asking PQ's about this and other relevant matters.
On a very sombre note we were contacted this morning by the local press about a fatal accident in the early hours outside Menwith Hill on the B6451. A
young man, so far unidentified, who was apparently lying in the road at 2am was run down and killed by a MOD police vehicle. The press wondered if he may have been a
peace protester but this seems unlikely as he appeared to be alone and the B6451 at 2am would not be a likely place to demonstrate in such a way.
The B6451 is a fast road to Pateley Bridge, with grass verges and no street lights although the lighting from the base is quite bright in places. It is
not a busy road at night.
We hope the young man, said to be in his 20's with a Batman tatoo on his upper body is identified soon. We hold him and his family and the MOD police
involved in this tragic accident in our thoughts and prayers.
4 July 2001
Report on
CAABalcade on Independence from America Day
12 June 2001
Several people again protested at the Main entrance to NSA Menwith Hill (with the US flag with STOP STAR WARS on) at the weekly demonstration against the
American Missile Defense programme.
The boundary of the Main entrance has been in contention for many years. There have been many arrests around this unclear and undefined 'boundary'.
Tonight we found that a yellow line had been painted on the ground across the entrance in an 'American style' boundary line. We were informed by the Ministry of Defence
Police that this was to mark the new 'official' entrance boundary. Marking accurate boundaries on the ground are however notoriously difficult.
One person was arrested and charged for trespass under the military land byelaws (even though all byelaws charges have continually been dropped by the
Crown Prosection Service) and one person was 'reported' for allegedly being in breach of her permanent injunction (but not arrested for a byelaws offence). Both were
within the same place and both were convinced on this occasion that they were not breaching the boundary of the main entrance - neither byelaws or permanent injunction.
NSA Menwith Hill and Fylingdales are crucial to the American Missile Defense programme. A European Parliament Temporary Committee recently confirmed that
the American- led ECHELON spying system (known to operate at Menwith Hill) does exist at Menwith Hill. The role of Menwith Hill in the ECHELON system is due to expand
when the US base at Bad Aibling in Germany closes next year.
29 May 2001
On Tuesday 29 May 2001
at the weekly evening witness and protest against the American Missile Defense system at the Main Entrance to NSA Menwith Hill protestors again used the US flag with
STOP STAR WARS written on. Traffic going in and out of the Main Entrance to the base had to be continually diverted from this entrance to another gate. There were three
arrests under the RAF Menwith Hill byelaws and each person was charged.
Anni Rainbow and Lindis Percy were arrested and charged under the same byelaws at the beginning of May. They have been notified recently by the Crown
Prosecution Service that the charges are to be discontinued as to continue would 'not be in the public interest'. The long struggle concerning the validity of military
byelaws continues.
NSA Menwith Hill is to be the European Ground Relay System and two Space Based Infra Red System (SBIRS) High radomes have already been constructed. SBIRS
is crucial to the American Missile Defense system.
8 May 2001
On the day that a delegation of US officials arrived in London to pursuade the UK government to accept the American Missile Defense system, Anni Rainbow
and Lindis Percy were at the main entrance of NSA Menwith Hill to witness and protest at the proposed use of this base. The US flag with the words 'STOP STAR WARS' was
again used in the protest.
Anni Rainbow and Lindis Percy were arrested for an alleged offence under the RAF Menwith Hill byelaws and both were later charged. Anni asked that Harold
Best MP (her MP) be informed of her arrest as 'the person interested in her welfare' (one of the rights of a person in custody). Lindis Percy requested that John Prescott
MP and Deputy Prime Minister (her MP) be informed of her arrest and detention in custody.
The military land byelaws at many bases in England (particularly American bases) have been in contention for years. The validity of the byelaws at NSA
Menwith Hill have been twice challenged in the High Court. At the moment the byelaws at Menwith Hill are said to be valid. There have been many arrests under the 1996
byelaws but no one has been charged until Anni Rainbow was recently charged. This now gives us an opportunity to challenge the validity of the byelaws in the Magistrates'
court.
Tony Blair is expected to give formal consent to the US government for the use of NSA Menwith Hill and Fylingdales in the American Missile Defense system.
3 March 2001
CAAB was in Harrogate with the US flag with STOP STAR WARS written on it to witness and protest at the Tory Party Spring Conference today. William Hague
has publically said that his party supports the American National Missile Defense system.
Engaging in conversation with CAAB Ian Duncan Smith (Opposition Defence spokesman) said that the technology for the American National Missile Defense
system does work and that we 'should not believe the propoganda' which says it does not. This was in reponse to a question about the fact that the technology does not
work. He also said that when he was talking to Donald Rumsfeld (US Secretary of State for Defense and a keen advocate of NMD) in the US recently he had been told that the
US would involve the UK in any decisions concerning NMD. He also said that he favoured the 'boost-phase' system and rejected the notion that NMD was in any way an
'offensive' system.
Michael Portillo (Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer) did a visible U turn when he at first thought that the presence of the US flag meant a statement FOR
the NMD system. When it was pointed out to him that actually the US flag said 'STOP STAR WARS' he was visibly confused.
CAAB continues to witness with the US flag with STOP STAR WARS despite Lindis Percy being charged with a 'racially aggrevated' offence for 'trailing' it
on the ground.
January 16th update:
Following on from a peaceful action at NSA Menwith Hill on 13 December 2000
when Lindis Percy and Anni Rainbow were arrested and charged with Obstructing the Highway under Section 137 of the Highways Act 1980:
Lindis has now been informed by the Crown Prosecutor (David Tucker) that he is adding two further charges.
The charges are:
1. that you on 13th December 2000 at Menwith Hill in the County of North Yorkshire used abusive or insulting behaviour or disorderly behaviour, namely
trailing a United States of America flag on the ground in front of cars driven by American citizens, with in the sight of persons likely to be caused harassment alarm or
distress thereby, namely American citizens and the offence was motivated (wholly or partly) by hostility towards members of the United States of America based on their
membership of that group contary to section 31 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998
2. that you on 13th December 2000 at Menwith Hill in the County of North Yorkshire used abusive and insulting behaviour, namely trailing a United States
of America flag on the ground in front of cars driven by American citizens with in the sight of persons likely to be caused harassment alarm or distress thereby contary
to section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 as amended
The new charges relate only to Lindis and the flag, not to Anni and the flag.
20 January 2001
On Saturday 20 January
, the day George W Bush is to be inaugurated as US President,
CAAB will be protesting peacefully again at NSA Menwith Hill
from 10am - 2pm ... please come (fully self sufficient) and show your opposition to NMD.
10 January 2001
On the evening of Wednesday 10 January 2001
Lindis Percy and Anni Rainbow (Co-coordinators of the Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases(CAAB)) quietly obstructed traffic going in and out of NSA Menwith
Hill for approximately two hours.
Lindis held an American Stars and Stripes flag bearing the words 'STOP STAR WARS' and walked backwards and forwards across the Main Entrance. She was
warned that she would be arrested for Obstruction of the Highway under Section 137 of the Highways Act 1980 if she continued. She was not arrested.
Anni spent some time trying to get past the MOD guards at the entrance barrier in an attempt to convey the message to the US military. She was warned that
if she continued she would be arrested under Section 68, Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 for the offence of Aggrevated Trespass (on instruction from 'higher
up'). She was not arrested.
Anni also sat by the exit barrier holding a flag similar to the one Lindis was holding. While she was there the MOD guards would only let vehicles out of
the base in batches of three.
On this occasion neither Lindis nor Anni were arrested although charges have been brought against them previously for similar actions. An MOD police
officer agreed that Anni was in breach of the Military Land Act Byelaws but although the Byelaws were in force he refused to arrest her for the admitted breach.
The action was part of CAAB's continuing campaign of protest against the American National Missile Defense (NMD) system. A formal request from the US
Government to the UK Government for the use of NSA Menwith Hill (and Fylingdales) for NMD is expected. The new Spaced Based Infra Red System (SBIRS) satellite dishes/radomes
at NSA Menwith Hill will be crucial to NMD.
3 January 2001
On the evening of Wednesday 3 January
Lindis Percy and Anni Rainbow (Co-coordinators of the Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases(CAAB)) quietly obstructed traffic going in and out of the base
for approximately two hours.
Lindis held an American Stars and Stripes flag bearing the words 'STOP STAR WARS' and Anni tried hard to get past the MOD police at the entrance barrier
in an attempt to convey the message to the US military.
The entrance barrier was lowered during the action and the MOD police directed traffic into the base through the exit barrier. On this occasion neither
Lindis nor Anni were arrested or warned although charges have been brought against them previously for similar actions.
The action was part of CAAB's continuing campaign of protest against the American National Missile Defense (NMD) system. A formal request from the US
Government to the UK Government for the use of NSA Menwith Hill (and Fylingdales) for NMD is expected. The new Spaced Based Infra Red System (SBIRS) satellite dishes/radomes
at NSA Menwith Hill will be crucial to NMD.
13 December 2000
On the night of Wednesday 13 December
Anni Rainbow and Lindis Percy (Co-Coordinators of the CAMPAIGN FOR THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF AMERICAN BASES (CAAB) quietly held up American cars trying to come out of NSA
Menwith Hill by standing in front of them and refusing to move. They carried the 'Stars and Stripes' with STOP STAR WARS written on and a placard saying 'George W Bush?
Oh dear!'
They were at MHS to witness and protest at the role of NMD at Menwith Hill and the pending 'election' of George W Bush as the new US President.
They were arrested and charged with 'obstruction of the highway' at the Main Entrance to the base by the Ministry of Defence Police who act for the
Americans at MHS. An Injunction made Permanent in 1996 was brought by the Secretary of State for Defence to prevent Lindis from entering MHS.
It is even more important than ever before because of the 'election' to rigorously oppose the use of MHS and Fylingdales in the American NMD programme.
NMD cannot function without the formal consent of the UK government. Both bases are crucial in the proposed NMD programme.
CAAB will continue to organise a variety of peaceful actions at MHS and Fylingdales. The UK government are apparently anxious about the possible
rekindling of grass-roots activity (The Guardian 12 December 2000). So they should be!
Lindis and Anni interviewed by American researcher from Fox News for US television report on NMD.
Anni interviewed by Flame TV researcher for short alternative news item on MHS for a Channel 4 programme.
8 August 2000
Lindis and Anni 'walk' in the area not covered by Lindis' Injunction. No action taken by MDP who monitored them on the CCTV cameras. Anni arrested inside
Inner Ops area for Byelaws 'trespass' after finding an open padlock on the security fence gates. She was escorted out to the Main Gate, de-arrested and threatened with
arrest for 'aggravated trespass' when she approached the barriers again. Anni then removed a Byelaws notice from the entrance to sewage works and informed an MOD guard as
no MDP apparently available. No action taken.
21-23 July 2000
Lindis spoke at the Anglican Pacifist Conference in Whitby 21-23 July
.
18 July 2000
A new American Base Commander, Col. Christine Marsh, took over from Col. Clyde D Harthcock on Tuesday 18 July
. It is the first time that MHS has had a woman Commander.
Anni has continued to monitor Harrogate Planning Office weekly. There have been no significant planning applications.
Lindis has sent more PQ's to Norman Baker MP.
23 June 2000
Lindis was one of the speakers at the public meeting held in Harrogate by the Menwith Forum on 23 June
. Professor Paul Rogers and David Bowe, MEP also spoke. About 60 people attended and many questions were asked and answered. Plenty of local press and radio coverage.
|