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The letter is handed over to Wng Cmmnder Loveday Picture by Alan Wastel
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Anti-Nuclear campaigners staged a demonstration at RAF Fylingdales to protest against Britain's role in the United States missile defence programme.
Over 40 people turned out on Sunday for the peaceful protest organised by Yorkshire Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
The protesters gathered Ellerbeck at 1pm and enjoyed music, food and speeches before walking up to the base where a letter was handed to Commander of RAF Fylingdales Wing Commander Nicky
Loveday. The letter outlined the reasons behind demonstration and the Yorkshire CND's opposition to the governments decision to allow the base to be used as part of the ballistic missile
defence system.
Activist Jackie Fearnley of the Fylingdales Action Network was said she was pleased with what she called a successful demonstration..
"The protest was very well orgainsed and supported and it was good to see people of all ages turn out to show their opposition to Americas space policy," she said.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said that that the protest was peaceful with no arrests reported, the A169 had to be closed between Ellerbeck and RAF Fylingdales while the protesters
marched up to the base but was re-opened after a short time.
A Ministry of Defence Police Spokesman echoed these sentiments adding that they were happy to facilitate this type of peaceful protest.
The demonstration was the first in a series of events which are taking place across the world as part of 'Keep Space for Peace' week 2006.
Keep Space for Peace campaigners are angry at what has been dubbed the 'Star Wars' missile defence system which America has been developing. It is a multi- billion dollar project which will
protect the US from missile attack by tracking and co-ordinating missiles using satellites and radar stations to intercept in bound missile attacks. However protesters are fearful that it
could have wider implications and could be used to launch an offensive anywhere in the world.
"We believe, as do many people around the world, that this will become more a system of offence rather than defence," said Mrs Fearnley.
"RAF Fylingdales is a radar base that has become essential to the whole project which is why we have come here to make our voices heard. To show the British government that they are wrong to
allow a British base to be used in developing this potentially dangerous system."
There will be another demonstration at Menwith Hill on Saturday 7 October as part of the week long events around the world.
Yorkshire CND members peacefully protest against Britain's role in the US missile defence programme outside RAF Fylingdales on Sunday
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