A group of pacifist activists blocked this Monday the main access to Lakenheath Air Base, an installation of the British Royal Air Force that also houses personnel and assets from the United States.
The Suffolk Police has explained that it received a notice shortly before 7:00 a.m. about a "small protest" at the main entrance and that, after going to the scene, it arrested ten people for breach of the peace. The demonstrators used industrial padlocks to chain themselves to a vehicle and to each other in front of the access.
The action has been taken on by the collective No More Bloody Wars, which frames it in its campaign against the "illegal wars" of the United States and carried it out coinciding with the midterm elections scheduled for this Tuesday. The group is calling for the closure of U.S. bases on British territory and denounces London’s involvement in the conflicts of the Middle East.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Air Forces has indicated being "aware" of the demonstration and has emphasized that "The security of our personnel, families and the nearby community remain our highest priority", according to statements released by the BBC.
Among the people who have taken part in the blockade is Margaret Owen, a human rights lawyer aged 94, along with Rajan Naidu, known for his presence in previous protests. "I have been protesting for the Palestinians for years", Owen said.
Naidu has defined the action as "It is a peaceful civil resistance against injustice, corruption, war crimes, crimes against humanity, against infanticide and genocide".