War protesters chain themselves to USAF base entrance

Several protesters blocked the main entrance of a military base used by the US Air Force (USAF).

Suffolk Police said it was called just before 07:00 GMT to reports of a "small protest" outside RAF Lakenheath andlater arrested10 people on suspicion of committing public nuisance or other offences.

According to the protest group No More Bloody Wars, the demonstration was against "illegal wars" involving the US and was timed to coincide with Tuesday's midterm elections.

A USAF spokesperson for the base said it was "aware" of the demonstration, adding: "The safety and security of our personnel, families, and the surrounding community remain our top priority."

Protesters used heavy-duty locks to attach themselves to a car and to each other outside the base entrance.

The group, which arrived at the base from about 06:30, called on the British government to shut down US bases in the UK, to remove what it said was complicity in conflicts in the Middle East.

Two of the activists at Lakenheath, Margaret Owen, a 94-year-old human rights lawyer, and Rajan Naidu, have both taken part in similar protests before.

Owen said she "had been protesting for years on behalf of the Palestinians".

She was arrested following a demonstration in Liverpool during the Labour Party conference in September and, more recently, after a protest outside the US Embassy in London.

Naidu had been arrested and charged following a protest in April outside Lakenheath.

"I say we're in peaceful civil resistance to injustice, to corruption, to war crimes, to crimes against humanity, against infanticide, genocide. That's what we are," said Naidu.

Suffolk Police said nine people were in custody and were being questioned on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a public nuisance, obstruction of a highway and locking on.

One person had been released on bail, and a car seized, the force said.

A UN commission of inquiry has said Israel has deliberately targeted Palestinian children resulting in genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Israel has repeatedly defended itself against claims of genocide.

The protest group also expressed concerns about the possibility of nuclear weapons being housed at the base.

The F-35A Lightning II aircraft is certified to carry the B61-12 thermonuclear weapon.

"By obeying and complying with the demands of the US military complex, the UK has become very closely tied with the nuclear security strategies imposed by the US," the group said.

The US and Nato have a long-standing policy on neither confirming nor denying where nuclear weapons are kept.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) said Monday's protest was one for the US military to comment on.

In its statement, the USAF said: "We are co-ordinating closely with the Ministry of Defence Police and Suffolk Constabulary to ensure the area remains safe.

"Installation operations continue as normal, and access to the base remains open for all with approved access."

In April, in a response to a similar protest, the MOD said the US had been authorised to use British military bases for specific defensive missions to destroy Iran's missile capabilities.

A spokesperson added that Iran was "threatening British people, bases, and our partners in the region".

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