Thirteen Peace Activists Arrested After Blocking RAF Lakenheath Gates in Anti-War Demonstration
Police have detained thirteen individuals following a coordinated peace protest that blocked the entrance gates to RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk. The demonstration, organised by the Lakenheath Alliance for Peace, targeted the airbase used by the US Air Force in a protest against the ongoing war in Iran.
Extended Blockade Causes Major Disruption
The protest began at 6am on Tuesday morning when activists locked themselves onto a car to block the main entrance gates. This blockade persisted for six hours, severely restricting access to the military installation. Simultaneously, a second gate was obstructed for four hours, reopening at 10am after police intervention.
According to statements from the Lakenheath Alliance for Peace, protesters employed multiple tactics to amplify their message. They secured themselves to a large multi-coloured peace symbol and to each other, creating physical barriers that required specialised police response to dismantle.
Police Response and Arrest Details
Suffolk Police confirmed that officers arrived at the base shortly after 6am following reports of protesters locking themselves to vehicles outside the main gate. The demonstration caused significant disruption to motorists, necessitating road closures and extensive traffic management measures.
The thirteen arrested individuals were transported to investigation centres in Bury St Edmunds and Martlesham for questioning. Police indicated the arrests related to multiple offences including:
- Locking on to objects or structures
- Conspiracy to cause a public nuisance
- Attempting to lock on
- Criminal damage
A Suffolk Police spokesperson stated that officers would remain on site until further notice to ensure no further disruptions occur.
Protest Motivations and Previous Incidents
In their statement, the Lakenheath Alliance for Peace asserted that fighter and bomber planes from RAF Lakenheath had been deployed in Iran, describing the conflict as an "illegal war." The protest followed what the group described as a "week-long international peace camp at the base" that concluded on Monday.
This incident represents the second wave of arrests at the Suffolk airbase within days. On Sunday, April 5th, police arrested five men and two women at a peace encampment outside the main gate of Lakenheath airbase. Those arrests were made on suspicion of supporting the banned group Palestine Action during antiwar protests.
Legal Context and Bro Implications
The protest occurred amid ongoing legal proceedings regarding Palestine Action. While the High Court ruled in February that the proscription of Palestine Action was unlawful, it granted the Home Office leave to appeal against the decision. This leaves the proscription in place pending the outcome of the appeal, creating a complex legal backdrop for such demonstrations.
The Lakenheath Alliance for Peace indicated that Tuesday's arrests occurred after retired colonel Chris Romberg delivered a speech to protesters, though specific details of his remarks were not disclosed in their statement.
These protests have drawn increased attention following media reports suggesting that a US fighter jet shot down in Iran last week may have originated from the Lakenheath base, though official confirmation of these reports remains limited.
