Seven Charged After Six-Hour Protest Blockade at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk

Thirteen protesters were taken into custody on Tuesday following a six-hour blockade at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, a base operated by the United States Air Force. The protest was organized by the Lakenheath Alliance for Peace and occurred after a week-long International Peace Camp at the site, which ended on Monday. , leading to traffic disruptions and road closures in the area.

Of the detained individuals, seven have been charged with locking on offenses, which involve attaching oneself to another person, object, or land in a way that causes serious disruption. The charged protesters are Virginia Herbert, 78, from Cholsey, Wallingford; Marie Walsh, 69, from Didcot; Eris H'Aitch, 51, from Cromer; Mohammed Patel, 76, from Bolton; David Thorpe, 60, from Southampton; and Ammaarah Sidat, 24, from Accrington.

Five others received police bail, and one remains under investigation.

cleared one gate by mid-morning and reopened the remaining entrances by early afternoon.

During the demonstration, activists secured themselves to a vehicle, a large multicolored peace symbol, and each other. A Suffolk Police spokesman stated that officers had a duty to enforce the law without fear or favor, and as it currently stands, not as it might be in the future.

" — Anonymous protester to the BBC The protest followed media reports that a US fighter jet, which downed over Iran last Friday, had been stationed at RAF Lakenheath.

More than 100 peace activists had formed a blockade at the base last Saturday, where two people were arrested on suspicion of obstructing a public highway.

Protest organizer Peter Lux stated that accountability for RAF installations is essential when American aircraft are permitted to depart.

He noted that demonstrators had observed between 116 and 118 US fighter bombers leaving Lakenheath in recent weeks. Campaigners delivered a letter to base commanders at the start of their encampment, opposing American military use of British facilities and citing concerns over international law.

The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that Washington receives authorization to launch strikes from British facilities on an individual basis.

A spokesman said the UK has authorized the United States to use British military bases for specific defensive missions to destroy Iran's missile capabilities, which threaten British people, bases, and partners in the region. The USAF at Lakenheath affirmed its respect for the right to engage in peaceful and lawful freedom of speech and expression.