14 August 2006: for immediate release
Campaigners at RAF Mildenhall (Suffolk) and RAF Brize Norton (Oxfordshire) have established peace camps outside the air bases to monitor possible weapons flights from the US to Israel. The two bases are known to have been used recently for refuelling and maintenance while carrying bombs to Israel.
A peace camp was set up on Saturday 12th August at RAF Brize Norton, where dozens of activists have gathered. The peace camp at RAF Mildenhall was set up on Sunday 13th August, with 35 people camping at the site on its first night.
The camps’ locations provide campaigners with a clear view of all incoming and outgoing flights, allowing them to record and research which aircraft may be carrying weapons.
Kate Hudson, Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said, “While we are pleased that a ceasefire has come into effect between Israel and Hizbollah, the ceasefire is very fragile at this point, with both sides still making threats of violence. Therefore it is especially important that Britain no longer allow weapons flights between the US and Israel to use its airports. The peace camps will play an important role in increasing public awareness of weapons flights and making sure that Britain is no longer complicit in supplying weapons for this conflict.”
Mell Harrison, CND Eastern Region campaign officer and an organiser of the RAF Mildenhall camp, said, “We welcome anyone to join us at the peace camp for any period of time, whether for an afternoon or many days on end. We also encourage people to visit the camp to find out more information on weapons flights and to discuss these very important issues with us.”
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Notes to Editor:
1. For further information and interviews please contact Rick Wayman, CND’s Press & Communications Officer, on 0207 7002350 or 07968 420859
2. For more information on the peace camp at RAF Brize Norton, please contact Kate Holcombe on 07748 015 601.
3. For more information on the peace camp at RAF Mildenhall, please contact Mell Harrison on 07760 161 755.
4. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is one of Europe’s biggest single-issue peace campaigns, with over 32,000 members in the UK. CND campaigns for the abolition of all nuclear weapons everywhere.