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Thank you to everyone who came to NSA Menwith Hill on 4 March 2000 and who helped to make it pass peacefully and in such a wonderful spirit of solidarity and determination to voice an objection to 'Star Wars 2'.
Also we would particularly like to say a special thank you to North Yorkshire police who were so helpful in making sure that the tradition of peaceful protest was upheld. The Ministry of Defence police were kept firmly behind the new perimeter fence with coils of razor wire on top.
The issue of the rebirth of Ronald Reagan's Star Wars that the Americans at Menwith Hill are engaged in will become increasingly focused during the next few months. There will be another missile test which is the last of three tests (the last being unsuccessful) before President Clinton makes his momentous decision about the National Missile Defence system. It is increasingly looking as if the NMD will go ahead (we suggest you browse the Federation of American Scientist's excellent website). The Writ in the High Court will proceed to the next stage very soon. Over 400 people gathered at NSA Menwith Hill Station UK today to protest at the arrival of the rebirth of Ronald Reagan's 'Star Wars' and specifically the building of two Space Based Infra Red System radomes now being constructed on the base. On a beautiful clear sunny day we heard from several speakers including Mark Thomas (of Channel 4's Mark Thomas Product) who had a telephone conversation with David Shayler (the ex-M15 'whistle blower' exiled in France and wanted by the UK government). David Shayler spoke about the role of Menwith in the ECHELON eavesdropping system. Among the press present was a French TV crew who came over from France to film the demonstration for a programme which is being made on ECHELON. Danbert from the band "Chumbawumba" read a passionate speech about Menwith and Star Wars (see Danbert's speech) and messages of support were read out from Tony Benn MP, National CND, Regina Hagen (Germany), Anti Bases Coalition (New Zealand), Joanna Miller (Canada), Billy Bragg, Glen Wangwala, Richard Salvador (Marshall Islands). Despite the Daily Star putting out a 'scare' article earlier saying that according to a 'police source.....mass violence' was expected, the demonstration was peaceful and non violent. There were no arrests even though many people chose to walk freely on the base; clearly in violation of the military land byelaws at Menwith Hill and which have been used extensively by the Ministry of Defence Police. The busy A59 road had to be closed while we walked round the base because of the size of the walk. We ask people to continue to walk the land at NSA Menwith Hill especially as the UK government is in the process of bringing in legislation for 'a right to roam' over hills, moorlands and mountains in the UK. CAAB continues to focus attention on Menwith Hill in particular (and other American bases) to bring accountability and public scrutiny to the true nature of the American operations which are out of control of the UK government. NB: The legal action in the High Court in London concerning the building of the SBIRS radomes at NSA Menwith Hill is at an interesting stage. We will keep you informed. |
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