The dangerous and undemocratic plan to return American nuclear weapons to British soil have been met with determined protest, reports Jim Scott

On Saturday 26 April, peace activists blockaded the Lakenheath USAF base for several hours protesting against proposals for US Nuclear weapons to be stored at the base. Due to high levels of secrecy and a complete lack of transparency or emergency planning from the UK government and US military, it is not known whether or not nuclear weapons are already at the site.

Organised by Lakenheath Alliance for Peace with the backing of CND, XR UK and 60 other supporting organisations, the blockade marked the culminating action at the end of a two-week 24-7 vigil outside the base as well as a Peace Camp and several events which included an International Peace Conference earlier in the week. 

The event, which was attended by around 200 – 300 peace activists some of whom came up on coaches from London and Norwich, followed a previous blockade which had taken place early on the morning of Friday 25 April in which 12 topless women, intersex, non-binary and trans activists blockaded the main gate of the base resulting in 3 arrests.

Saturday’s peaceful and non-violent action went relatively unhindered by police until the end, at which point seven protesters who remained steadfast in their determination to maintain the blockade were arrested.

Monthly vigils are being held outside Gate 1 at Lakenheath which the campaign encourages everyone to support, they also encourage people to visit their website Lakenheath Alliance For Peace to find out more ways to get involved.