A demonstration against the return of nuclear bombs to a Suffolk airbase took place this weekend, with organisers warning their presence could “make East Anglia a target”. 

Crowds gathered at RAF Lakenheath on Saturday, November 19 to protest against the planned roll-out of American nuclear bombs expected to take place next month. The protest was organised by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). 

Several speakers spoke out against the plans, including CND chairman Tom Unterrainer, Grace Cowan from the ‘Stop the War Coalition’ and peace campaigner and activist Angie Zelter. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Protesters called for peace at the demonstration on Saturday. Credit: CNDProtesters called for peace at the demonstration on Saturday. Credit: CND (Image: Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament)

General Secretary Kate Hudson said: “[This was] a powerful display of opposition to US nukes in Lakenheath, with people coming from all over the country to bring that message loud and clear.  

“And we will keep coming back until we are assured that this will not be a US nuclear base that makes East Anglia a target.” 

Nuclear bombs were removed from RAF Lakenheath in 2008, following protests led by the CND and the Lakenheath Action Group. 

The empty storage vaults have been on ‘caretaker’ status since then.  

However, in April it was revealed that the UK had been added to the USA’s list of European sites in line for infrastructure investment for storing “special weapons”, meaning nuclear weapons. This was expected to happen the following spring. 

In October however, these plans were moved forward to December, after a closed-door meeting of US officials and NATO allies took place in Brussels. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Two protesters donning masks of US President Joe Biden and UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace. Credit: CNDTwo protesters donning masks of US President Joe Biden and UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace. Credit: CND (Image: Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament)

East Anglian Daily Times: The CND has warned that the presence of US nuclear weapons in Britain threatens the prospect of peace in Europe and the rest of the world. Credit: CNDThe CND has warned that the presence of US nuclear weapons in Britain threatens the prospect of peace in Europe and the rest of the world. Credit: CND (Image: Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament)

General Secretary Hudson continued: “The return of US nuclear bombs to Britain and the spending of millions of dollars on upgrading NATO bases across Europe only undermines further the possibility of lasting global peace and security.  

“The US is the only country to host nuclear weapons in other countries and appears willing to sacrifice these hosts in the event of a nuclear war with Russia. 

“Whether it’s the UK’s own nuclear weapons in Scotland or US ones in Suffolk, the presence of nukes in Britain doesn’t make us any safer – they make us a target.  

“CND’s message is loud and clear: US nuclear weapons are not welcome back in Britain, and we will campaign with all our might to stop them.”