Reports

Campaign for the  Accountability of  American  Bases

Tuesday 28 September 2004

Anni Rainbow could not be at the Tuesday demonstration.  Lindis Percy  was the lone protestor at the regular Tuesday evening protest at  NSA/USAF Menwith Hill.
  
Six Ministry of Defence Police Agency officers from the Divisional Support Group from York were present plus various officers based at Menwith Hill.  There was a better balance between the right to protest and the right of people to go about their 'lawful' business.  Apart from one incident involving John Brizillera (Inspector MDPA) from 6 - 8 pm it was a peaceful demonstration.
  
As Lindis was about to leave,  a car came out of the base.  Lindis safely stood for a short time, holding the US flag upside down with 'SHOCKING AND AWFUL' written on it, in front of the car as it came out of the base  She had done this many times  during the protest (legal authority of the case of Hurst and Agu v Chief Constable of West 
Yorkshire QBD 1984).  She was moving away and ending the demonstration, when she was suddenly arrested for 'wilful obstruction of the highway' -  s.25 PACE -by Dave Smith (MDPA).  She was arrested at 3 minutes past 8. The demonstration ends at 8 pm.
  
She was taken to Harrogate Police Station and eventually charged with:
  
That you on Tuesday 28 September 2004 at Menwith with Darley without lawful authority or excuse, wilfully obstructed the free passage along a highway, namely Menwith Hill Road, CONTRARY TO SECTION 137 (1) HIGHWAYS ACT 1980
  
A second set of bail conditions were imposed.  Lindis denies the alleged  offence.
  
When returning to Otley past Menwith Hill Lindis was stopped twice by North Yorkshire police - once to check her car documents and the second time to search her car under the Terrorism Act 2000.  Of course nothing was found and she was eventually allowed to leave.
  
This was an example of the police again using this Act inappropriately and using it to clearly  cause harrassment.  Lindis will be writing to Della Cannings - Chief Constable of North Yorkshire police to express her concerns. 

Anni Rainbow and Lindis Percy

Joint Co-ordinators