The annual ‘Independence FROM America’ demonstration at the gates of NSA Menwith Hill, near Harrogate North Yorkshire will take place on the evening of Thursday, 4 July 2013.
This is a peaceful demonstration is about raising awareness of the Menwith Hill base and has happened since 1980.
In previous years there has been a march around part of the perimeter followed by speakers at the main gate. The protesters also hand over a statute of independence from America to the base, requesting that the American personal vacate the base.
The speakers will be:
- Salma Yaqoob – Psychotherapist, Chair Birmingham Stop the War Coalition and spokesperson for Birmingham Central Mosque
- Andy Worthington a journalist and author of Guantanamo Files
- Martin Wainwright, recently retired Northern Editor of the Guardian
- Mirzan the Poet will be performing
A Walk of Witness, organised by the Northern Friends Peace Board who are celebrating 100 years of peace witness will start on 29 June from Richmond Castle, where the ‘Richmond Sixteen’ (conscientious objectors in WW1) were imprisoned. They will end their journey during the demonstration at NSA Menwith Hill.
Lindis Percy (Coordinator CAAB) said:
This year the demonstration is particularly pertinent and important given the recent release of documents by the whistle blower Edward Snowden revealing what the NSA has been up to.
Menwith Hill is run by the NSA, a contingent of GCHQ are present and it is the hub of the ECHELON spying system and yet this base continues to operate secretively, is unaccountable and out of control of the UK government.
