Seven Arrested at RAF Lakenheath Protest Over Alleged Support for Banned Group
Seven individuals have been arrested in Suffolk under suspicion of supporting the proscribed organisation Palestine Action following a protest at RAF Lakenheath. The arrests occurred on Sunday morning after demonstrators joined a peace encampment to create a blockade outside the main gate of the airbase.
Protest Sparked by Media Reports
The protest was organised by the Lakenheath Alliance for Peace in response to media reports that a US fighter jet shot down in Iran on Friday had taken off from the Lakenheath base. The encampment has been in place since Wednesday, with organisers planning to continue it until Monday.
At the beginning of the protest, encampment organisers displayed a letter to the Lakenheath base commanders expressing concerns about a disregard for international law from the RAF and opposition to US air force use of British bases.
Details of the Arrests
Suffolk police confirmed that seven people - five men and two women - were arrested in Lakenheath on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation. They were taken to Bury St Edmunds police investigation centre for questioning.
The Lakenheath Alliance for Peace stated: Seven arrests were made during Lakenheath peace camp when a group of protesters stood wearing tabards saying, 'We oppose genocide. We support Palestine Action'. More information to follow.
Additional Charges from Saturday
Two further people were arrested and charged with wilful obstruction of a highway on Saturday. Michelle Macdonagh of Springhill, Stroud, Gloucestershire, and Yvan Cormier-Scott from Elphinstone Road, Southsea, Hampshire, have both been bailed to appear at Ipswich magistrates court.
Legal Context and Police Statement
The high court ruled in February that the government's decision to proscribe Palestine Action was unlawful. However, it remains banned pending an appeal by the Home Office.
Suffolk police emphasised their enforcement approach: Police have a duty to enforce the law without fear or favour and as it currently stands, not as it might be in the future. As such, where offences are believed to have occurred appropriate action will be taken.
Broader Arrest Statistics
More than 2,700 people have been arrested for supporting Palestine Action since it was proscribed under the Terrorism Act last summer by the then-home secretary Yvette Cooper. Many of these arrests have been for holding placards with slogans expressing support for the group.
The protest at RAF Lakenheath represents another chapter in the ongoing demonstrations against military operations and international policy decisions involving British bases.
