Lakenheath Alliance for Peace forms against nuclear weapons

The Lakenheath Alliance for Peace was launched at Lakenheath on Tuesday, March 26, when 12 representatives delivered a letter to the commanders of RAF Lakenheath. 

The coalition is dedicated to preventing the return of US nuclear weapons to Lakenheath and current members include Aldermaston Women’s Peace Camp, CND, and Greenham Women Everywhere.

Lakenheath Alliance for Peace banners at the base (Image: Lakenheath Alliance for Peace)

A Lakenheath Alliance for Peace statement read: "With the Doomsday Clock moving to 90 seconds to midnight, and the heightened concern about nuclear threat arising from the international situation, now more than ever we need to act to make the public aware of the dangers of nuclear weapons not only to East Anglia but to the whole world." 

Angie Zelter, who is from Wales, said: “I am horrified that once more we have to engage in direct action to stop the US bringing their weapons of mass destruction back to the UK.

"I lived in North Norfolk for 33 years and was involved in the actions at Lakenheath in the 80s and 90s. And now I have to start again."

A Lakenheath Alliance for Peace statement said that on March 26 the group approached the main gate and were told that someone would come and speak to them. 

They said they were asked to move back 'beyond the white line' to British territory, but said they would only do so once they had delivered the letter. 

They said Squadron Leader Stewart Geary, the RAF commander, eventually took the letter, read it and promised to make sure that it was delivered to the two USAF Base Commanders.

The statement also said the group were promised a reply.

The letter detailed the group's 'major concerns' over the possibility of nuclear weapons as well as the 'environmental impact' of squadron flights.

Fears have been growing that the US air force will bring nuclear weapons to Lakenheath for more than a year, with campaigners launching protests at the base. 

The first US nuclear bombs arrived on British soil in September 1954, and several sources confirmed the withdrawal of the weapons in 2008.

On Tuesday an RAF Lakenheath spokesperson said: "We are aware of the new group, Lakenheath Alliance for Peace’s formation.

"We recognize and support the right to peaceful protest as a fundamental aspect of a democratic society, however it’s a long standing DoD policy that we do not discuss the location or status of nuclear weapons."

Last August, a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "It remains a long-standing UK and NATO policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at a given location."