STOP PRESS: notice on stick put up outside camp: eviction hearing:
Whitby Law Court, Waterstead Lane, Whitby, 6th November, 10.45 am
October/November 2002
NEWS FROM FYLINGDALES
****STAR PEACE CAMP****
outside Fylingsdales US Space Command Base,
Ellerbeck Bridge, N. Yorks YO22 5LX
STOP PRESS: notice on stick put up outside camp: eviction hearing:
Whitby Law Court, Waterstead Lane, Whitby, 6th November, 10.45 am
Camp Daily Life. Yes, we are still here! Daily life goes on at camp. It's no thanks to Mr. Bush and Mr. Blair, who'd rather bomb the hell out of all of us. No, it's because Anne, Helen, Vron, Lesley, Erica, Karen, Cat, Sylvia and TJ plus Sav and 'the Krazy Crew', have been busy keeping the campsite going, while keeping an eye on the activities inside and around the base. Ulla says a personal 'thank you' for all the support given during her unexpectedly prolonged imprisonment. She is back here: warm, well supplied and supported. (Winter approaches, already there is ice in the water and frost on the tents in the mornings. Where will you be when the going gets tough? Evicted?)
Now we need more and more protest and actions. The police say they don't like all the messing around, but we are not here to please them, even though they have expressed concern for the welfare of the peace campers. Huh! We think if they were really concerned for our welfare, they would help us disarm the base and get it closed forever.
Exposure. During the last three months things have changed at the base. The significant new security developments approved by the North York Moors Planning Authority (razor-wire fences, ditches, CCTV cameras, police patrol road, lights, police buildings) appear to be installed. Work is in progress on a substantial extension to the gymnasium and sports changing facilities (justified on the grounds that disabled facilities had to be provided - a fraction of it).
Do they expect more staff to arrive in the near future?
Two public bridleways , crossing the MoD land, through the electric fence and into the 'Secure Area' around the top-secret radar pyramid, suddenly appeared on new Ordnance Survey maps. (Seems the 'D' Notice restriction about 'sensitive' sites has been lifted). TJ and Sylvia made enquiries to North York Moors National Park Authority and the County Council. The MoD had failed to extinguish these paths when the old golf balls were erected in 1963. They are lawful public Rights of Wa y . For 40 years the MoD has unlawfully prevented the public from using them, and people have been liable to arrest and criminal conviction under the Military Land Byelaws.
Now notices have been put up, which announce that those sections of bridleway, where they go through and near to the security fence, are closed. No public consultation was even suggested. Alice Mahon MP has agreed to raise the issue with the Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon. There are implications for violation of civil liberties. It is an apparently minor issue, which reveals the MoD's powers - justified under the catch-all phrase 'for reasons of national security'.
The latest plans for dog kennels also looks like a substantial development. New provisions for 12 dogs, plus amenities for handlers and vets, including kitchen and dining rooms, mean more dogs on each shift (?) - another security upgrade. (They appear not to be intending demolition the old dog kennels).
Rumours from a plod say that the newly erected 'Gatehouse' building at the entrance will soon be replaced by a nice building in stone. Oh? The Council's Planning Committee in April permitted a 'temporary' building - due to be removed in April 2004! The MOD really understands how to extend the infrastructure piece by piece.
We are convinced that there are clear signs that an extension of the base security and infrastructure is ongoing for the upgrading of the radar for the NMD, Star Wars Plans.
Protests. Meanwhile…During the last three months the base has been kept under close 'unauthorised' observation. There have been several protests and actions.
Did you miss the rambling fun on 24th August? 50 or so peace people walked the newly depicted bridleway. There were arrests and de-arrests and more arrests. Sylvia and TJ missed a lot of it, because they were arrested (with their doggies) and detained. They were up before the Scarborough beaks (minus doggies) on Monday 26th August. Did you miss the mass 'Don't Attack Iraq' demonstration in London on 28th September? The Fylingdales demo was a tad smaller, but the 50 protesters got their picture in the local papers. After the weekend of CND's 'From the Frontline' Conference in Sheffield, Bruce Gagnon, from Florida, USA, Coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space and Stacey Fritz, the founder of 'No Nukes North', Alaska came over to Fylingdales. We didn't know they were coming, so there was no welcome at camp. The Fylingdales RAF Commander came out to listen to them, though, and again it was covered by local media.
At the Conference was also a Danish member of Parliament, Kuupik Kleist (Representative for Greenland). He revealed that soon there will be established a camp in Thule, Greenland, to oppose the Star Wars Plan and to oppose an expansion of this base too. We are so happy to hear that. The Global Network grows every day. Hurray!
Forthcoming events . Ongoing: First weekend every month - CAMP ACTIONS. Check with your affinity group if you can arrange an action. Lots of direct actions needed at Fylingdales! (On October 24th, activists blockaded entrances to Menwith Hill US base and shut it for 5 hours. WOW! There's only one entrance at Fylingdales!)
31st October 2002 - Whitby stall with Fylingdales Action Network . NO War on Iraq: Trident's relation to Fylingdales and the local's concerns about radiation and health risk: radar beam-disturbance and UFO's on the night sky will probably be some of the issues that will be discussed that day.
IF any affinity group comes for an early morning action exercise at Fylingdales, we would be most delighted to join in!.
14-19th November 2002: Devonport: Trident Ploughshares disarmament camp .
21st November 2002: Whitby: Public Meeting at the Mission to Seamen, 7.30 p.m. Dave Webb, CND speaking about the function and role of the radar and satellite system in the US Space Command's Star Wars Plans.
Arranged by FAN. Tel. 01947 896481.
12th December 2002: Menwith Hill: WOMEN it's time to take a day off for non-violent peaceful protest. 12th December was the day Mrs Thatcher announced Cruise and Trident missiles would be sited in Britain. Cruise has gone. We must get rid of Trident too, part of the Ballistic Missile Defence (ATTACK) system, better known as STAR WARS.
13th December 2002: Menwith Hill: WOMEN: Blockade (A59): Bring warm clothes, banners, music, good spirit. Have fun with WoMenwith Women. Info: Helen John, tel. 01943 468593.
All those who 'minded' camp while Ulla was away failed to keep the Diary updated, so there is no precise record of arrests, charges, court appearances, forthcoming trials. (Write it next time!)
Sylvia has been arrested several times for allegedly trespassing and breach of bail and now has bail conditions not to go near the base.
TJ has also been arrested several times and has been issued a second 'Section 69', under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, which is a prohibition to enter MOD land, but she is still allowed to walk on public paths.
Olivia has still bail conditions after her disarmament attempt in March this year.
Sue got rid of her bail conditions by pleading guilty to the charge of Breach of Peace for blockading the entrance at the CND Demonstration on 15th June. She was fined £150 and ordered to pay £50 costs. (Not paid).
Barbara is still on bail for the same blockade.
Trials
Person Court Date Time
Sylvia York Crown Court 25th - 29th Nov 10am
Olivia York Crown Court 25th - 29th Nov 10am
Barbara Pickering Magistrates 28th October 10am
Anne (Menwith Hill) Harrogate Magistrates 11th - 15th Nov 10am
Ulla Newbury Magistrates 8th - 10th Jan '03 10am
Eviction. We have not been contacted again from the owner of the land, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, but they have now initiated proceedings for recovery of the land (see: STOP PRESS). Chief Planning Officer, Val Dilcock, has contacted us. The North York Moors Planning Authority is obliged to take enforcement action if we don't submit a Planning Application! Camp is 5 months old and tents and banners appear to be permanent. The MOD has no problem getting approval for a wossing great radar pyramid and built-up base. In our case it would be a waste of £60 to put in a Planning Application - no chance! We shall have a meeting with Mrs. Dilcock to discuss what is going to happen. We'll welcome your presence at court. A vigil outside might not harm our case either. So be ready to take action. Please contact us if you wish to join. The Human Rights Act legalises peace protesters' right to protest.
A local resident has offered us a campsite in his forest. Unfortunately the wonderful piece of forest is too remote to be good for a campaigning peace camp, but perfect for activists on research or for disarmament camps.
Financial Appeal. Help, help. No. HELP, HELP! We make no apologies asking for cash. To cover our costs we need to ask for funds. We need printing, stamps, transport, telephoning (Planning Applications?): we need to be equipped for the winter and to arrange and support protest activities.
Please make cheques payable to 'WoMenwith Hill Women's Peace Camp' (as we have not got our own bank account - the peacewomen are still our 'bankers') and send to WoMenwith Hill Peace Camp, P.O. Box 105, Harrogate HG3 2FE. We are as strong as our support! YES!
Wish list. Candles and new nice, strong banners, the old ones are beginning to fall apart in the 'wuthering' hard weather conditions out here at the moor. (Where did you say you'd be when the going gets tough?)
Finally, write to your MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.. If your MP asks Prime Minister, Tony Blair, or Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon, to read your letter, they HAVE to do so.
RAF Fylingdales alarms local people: its radar pyramid and satellite systems are not only a local problem, but also a global one. Think of the effect this base has, as part of the Command and Control system for missiles to be fired on Iraq, or on other people targeted in (U.S.) war zones all over the world.
The U.S. wants to control and dominate. We cannot accept that the people of Britain are used as puppets on a string. Say NO to US Space Command's plans and help us to STOP STAR WARS.
NB Whatever happens re: eviction, WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED! WE HAVE ONLY STARTED!
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