1 month ago
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At the start of UN Disarmament Week (24-30 October), the Nuclear Free Local Authorities welcome the promise made by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) to declare Lakenheath in Suffolk a nuclear-free zone at a forthcoming national demonstration.
UN Disarmament Week is an annual celebration of the efforts of activists working for a safer, more peaceful common future in the field of disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation (https://www.un.org/en/observances/disarmament-week).
From noon on Saturday 2 November, peace activists are urged to join the demonstration outside the main gate at RAF Lakenheath, Brandon, IP27 9PN to register their opposition to US nuclear weapons being once more stored at the base. Amongst the speakers at the event will be Melissa Parke, Executive Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).
Organisers will (unofficially) be declaring Lakenheath a nuclear-free zone and the NFLAs would welcome an approach by any local Council wishing to join us in the fight to make this official and permanent. Details of the NFLAs’ work to establish a nuclear weapon and nuclear power free world can be found on our website: https://www.nuclearpolicy.info/
Although notionally an RAF base, Lakenheath is infact the largest US airforce base in Britain and is home to nuclear capable F35 fighter bombers which can be equipped with the latest version of the B81 air-launched nuclear bomb. It is clear that the base has been upgraded to provide for additional accommodation in which to house more service personnel charged specifically with maintaining this mission.
The NFLAs have previously highlighted the frightening prospect of US nuclear weapons being stationed at the base. We have written to both the Foreign and Defence Ministers urging them to refuse permission for nuclear weapons to be based at Lakenheath and we have also raised our concerns over potential peacetime accidents with the Suffolk Resilience Forum which is responsible for regional emergency planning. We were one of the first organisations to become a partner organisation in the Lakenheath Alliance for Peace and we are also a member of ICAN.
Councillor Lawrence O’Neill, Chair of the NFLAs, said: “The campaign to oppose US plans to again make the UK its nuclear aircraft carrier first started under the last government. We are fully supportive of this latest demonstraton; it is essential to keep showing the new one that we don’t want these weapons here!
“Not only does stationing US nuclear weapons at Lakenheath further raise tensions between the nuclear superpowers in an increasingly febrile international environment, it also makes Suffolk an obvious target for a nuclear attack in the event of war, and even in time of peace there is also the possibility of a future accident involving a nuclear weapon at the base”.
Ends//..For more information contact NFLA Secretary Richard Outram by email to: richard.outram@manchester.gov.uk
Guidance for prospective participants published by CND
Transport
Book your coach ticket from London If you need transport from Norwich please contact Norwich CND by emailing sue.wright44@icloud.com A shuttle service will be available from Brandon station – it’s essential to email sue.wright44@icloud.com to book your place If you’re travelling from the Manchester area please contact 07840 303539 or email gmdcnd@gn.apc.org If you’re travelling from Yorkshire please contact info@yorkshirecnd.org.uk If you’re driving to the protest, please park at the RAF Lakenheath viewing area, where a shuttle will then take you to the main gate
Help CND promote the event
Share this Tweet on your account:
https://x.com/CNDuk/status/1843662915397988430
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There are posters available to promote the protest in the CND London office.
For any queries please email information@cnduk.org or
phone the CND office on 020 7700 2393 and follow this link
https://cnduk.org/events/stop-us-nukes-national-demonstration-at-lakenheath/
