USAF Lakenheath, in Suffolk, is a military base which holds
about 30 US nuclear weapons [1]. On October 6th, 2002, the
Lakenheath action group organised a blockade - with the
opportunity for other non-violent direct action - at the
military base.

I arrived shortly before 11:00 am, the announced start of
the event. Perhaps 50 people were already there, deploying
banners and meeting old friends. Later on, a bus, I think
from Norwich, and a mini-bus, from London, arrived. Bust
cards were distributed, and the group of about 150 people
started a silent procession the main gate of the base.

The banners were concerned with nuclear weapons,
militarisation of space, war on irak, and smaller ones also
addressed US imperialism and such topics. As it us usual
at that kind of events, several CND banners were floating -
different branches, different places.

We arrived at the main gate shortly, under police escort,
and saw that some gates had been installed, 30 meters in
retreat from the branch of the main road, and over a hundred
meters from the actual entrance of the base. Either way,
no traffic could go through, so all stopped there, some
standing on the grass on the sides, some standing on the
road. A stand was set up, with the usual collection of
leaflets and information, NVA and badges for sale.

Then we started waiting at the repetive rhythm of the
Buddhist monk's drums. A loud-speaker was set up, with
a microphone, and a few announcements were made. People
were now sitting down - on the grass and the road - chatting
away. It was clear then that the police would let us
blockade the main gate (other gates were open anyway),
knowing the event would finish at 3:00pm. Nobody seemed
to know what to do - or didn't feel like doing anything.
It was a bit frustrating for the police to let us achieve
our goal but still have us behind fences. I didn't want to
be arrested so was happy to stay where I was.

Then the speeches started - amongst which an activist from
Belgium who told us of a similar action the day before in
Belgium - but with 1800 people - and an activist from
Germany who told us of similar actions in Germany (with a
bit of Germany's peace movement history). Amongst the
speeches was also a WRI (War Resister's International)
member, who called for the soldiers to claim consciencous
objection or desert, who called for the demonstrators to
support those soldiers - such as hiding them if the police
is looking for them, and called for the police to go into
the base and investigate the real crimes happening there.
He also called for the activists to claim consciencous
objection on their tax money, and refuse to pay their
war taxes (9% of taxes).

The speeches ended, and we learned that 2 activists had
cut their way into the base, and later got arrested.

The speeches seemed to bring a bit of energy around, and
a few people started climbing over and under the police's
fences, before getting dragged back. None of them got
arrested.

At this point, everyone was standing up, and talking. The
end of the event was approaching.

It was a small and symbolic - but empowering - action. You
can't do much with 150 people, but hopefully the event
will grow to a point where real action is possible.

[1]  http://www.lakenheathaction.org/about.php3